Tumaini Program
Umoja-Tumaini is a statewide community of educators and learners committed to the academic success, personal growth and self-actualization of African American and other students. Umoja is a Kiswahili word meaning “unity”.
The Umoja-Tumaini Program seeks to educate the whole student – body, mind and spirit. Informed by an ethic of love and its vital power, the Umoja-Tumaini Program will deliberately engage students as full participants in the construction of knowledge and critical thought. The Umoja-Tumaini Program seeks to help students experience themselves as valuable and worthy of an education.
The Umoja-Tumaini Program gains meaning through its connection to the African Diaspora. African and African American intellectual, cultural, and spiritual gifts inform the Umoja-Tumaini Program values and practices. The program seeks to nurture knowledge of and pride in these treasures. The learning experience within the program will provide each individual the opportunity to add their voice and their story to the collective voices and stories of the African Diaspora. Umoja-Tumaini is open to all students.
The Umoja-Tumaini Program at San Bernardino Valley College consists of 2 components: the Umoja-Tumaini Program learning community and the Tumaini Club.
Students interested in participating in the Umoja-Tumaini Program learning community must apply and meet program requirements.
Steps to Apply
- To apply visit: www.umojacommunity.org
- Click on “Student Application”
- Select “San Bernardino Valley” as your college of choice
- Complete the application and submit
Umoja-Tumaini Program Requirements
Mandatory Orientation
Students joining the Umoja-Tumaini learning community must attend the Orientation. The date and location will be provided at the intake appointment.
Mandatory Courses
Students in the learning community must register for the following courses:
Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
Student Development 102 | Student Development 103 |
History 138 | History 139 |
Program Benefits and Resources
- Cohort classes
- Book loans (for selected classes)
- Chromebook (for semester)
- Academic Advising
- Accountability
- Tutoring
- Cultural Events
- Nitasoma/Village Space—a community center where tutoring is provided in English and Math. Tutoring schedules vary, check with Coordinators for availability.
Please contact the Umoja-Tumaini Program Coordinators for more information.
Daniele Smith
Physical Sciences (PS) 138
dasmith@valleycollege.edu
(909) 384-8651
Kathy Kafela
Administration and Student Services (ADSS) 203
kkafela@valleycollege.edu
(909) 384-8950
For more information about the Tumaini Club please click here.