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Umoja Students

UMOJA is designed to increase academic success among all students at Norco College with an emphasis on the African-American population. A major key to student success is through fostering a sense of community. Through the linking of academic, social, and cultural offerings, the program UMOJA aims to promote student success as well as to develop leadership skills in its members.

Contact Information

Natalie Aceves
Educational Advisor,
Transfer Center
(951) 372-7043
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Darnell Bing
Counselor, Umoja
(951) 738-7707
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Sean Davis
Counselor, Umoja
(951) 738-7707
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Kiandra Jimenez, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor,
English
(951) 738-7036
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Vyvyana Woolridge
Student Success Coach
(951) 738-7797
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FILAMU Club

Our students of color need opportunities to enhance their strengths and interest as they pursue the world of work. FILAMU provides this through community and hands-on experiences to develop in mass media. Our Umoja scholars majoring in mass media and particularly filmmaking have designed a club that focuses on the importance and representation of culturally relevant media productions in the industry. Students in FILAMU will gain essential knowledge and tangible filmmaking skills through workshops and creative projects. The club will offer additional events, with an overall goal to enhance student's career portfolio. If this is of interest to you, please join the FILAMU family!

Hours and Location

When are the club meetings? Every Friday, 1:00 p.m.. - 2:00 p.m.
CLICK THE ZOOM LINK TO JOIN: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/97539465127

Peer Mentoring Program

Student Leadership Team

2022-2023

UMOJA President: Devean Woolridge

President: Devean Woolridge

Hey everybody! I am Devean Woolridge and I am the President of Umoja for the 2022-2023 school year. It is my second year at Norco college, and I am a history major with hopes of transferring to CSUF or CSULB. The Umoja program has given me a space in which I can be myself, feel accepted, and reach for academic and personal success. To me this is somewhere where underrepresented students are given the opportunity and resources to succeed in a space or period of their lives where many would otherwise struggle. This concept led to me joining Umoja Leadership, as this mission of success for underrepresented students called to me as I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and give to a community in which I have grown to love so much. A food I do not see myself ever getting tired of, and one I could eat for the rest of my life, would have to be sushi. If I could only bring one thing with me to a deserted island, it would have to be a boat... I am getting off that Island ASAP!

UMOJA Vice-President: LEXI JONES

Vice-President: Lexi Jones

Hi all! My name is Lexi Jones and I am the Vice President of Umoja for the 2022-2023 school year. I am a third year history major here at Norco College! I am planning on going to either UCR, CSUSB or CSUF. The Umoja program has given given me a sense of community and belonging both socially and academically. Umoja has provided me with countless resources to help me become transfer ready as well as getting a few job opportunities too! Being apart of Umoja leadership has given me the chance to be a part of creating a welcoming environment to all our students within the program as they navigate their own path to transfer! A fun fact about me is that I love cheesecake. If I could only bring one thing with me on a desert island it would be my pillow so I can at least sleep good.

UMOJA Secretary and Social Media Coordinator: Zehra Kazmi

Secretary and Social Media Coordinator: Zehra Kazmi

Hi Everyone :) My name is Zehra but a lot of people like to call me Z or Queen Z! I am the current secretary and social media coordinator for Umoja Leadership. I am also a program Assistant and mentor for the club itself. I do my best to stay involved so alongside Umoja I am a student ambassador for the Norco Campus, an EOPS student, a Honors Program student, and a member of Women’s Lean in Circle. I am a second year here at Norco and my major is Political Science. I will be transferring out this year and am super excited to see where I end up. My dream school that I hope to get into is UCLA. The Umoja program has done beyond words for me. My best friends and most trusted peers have all been met through my time in Umoja. I am so sad that these two years have flown by so quickly because everyday that I am here I meet another amazing person. I owe a lot of my academic a personal success to Sean Davis and Vyvyana Woolridge. They both worked tirelessly and deserve all the recognition for everything they do. I can’t wait to finish off my year strong and get to know all of our new and future students! A fun fact about me is that I love to take trips to Target, Ulta, and Sephora I do a lot of financial damage but it’s probably my favorite activity. If I could only bring one thing with me on a deserted island it would have to be my tote bag because I could pretty much survive out of it anywhere.

UMOJA Activities Coordinator: Covey Vitug

Activities Coordinator: Covey Vitug

Hi everyone! My name is Covey Vitug and the nickname I have is “Covey Cov." I am one of the three activity coordinators for the Norco College Umoja for the 2022-2023 academic year. I am a nursing major and I plan to attend CSUF or CSUSB but I am hoping to be accepted to any nursing school. The Umoja program has done so many things for me that I can't count. The faculty has always motivated me to strive for more and accomplish my goal even though the journey is tough. I am thankful for all of the Umoja faculty for being there for everyone and give us great advice for transfer. I met many friends who became like a family to me in the Umoja Program. Having the opportunity to be in leadership has given me the chance to get to know my Umoja family and become a role model. A fun fact about me is I like to take my puppy on walks.

If I was stranded on an island, I'll bring Prius!

UMOJA Community Service Coordinator: Berenice Acevedo

Community Service Coordinator: Berenice Acevedo

Hi everyone! My name is Berenice Acevedo and I am a program assistant and community service coordinator of Umoja for the 2022-2023 school year. I am in my second year of college and I am majoring in computer science. Being a part of Umoja has truly helped me open up as a person and meet so many great people and amazing friends. A fun fact about me is that I can draw and film and edit videos. A food I can eat everyday for the rest of my life are red enchiladas. :) If I could take one thing with me to an island I think it would be my sketchbook.

UMOJA Treasure Extraordinaire: Ade Turner