1. Seattle Central Home Page
  2. About Us
  3. Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Community (EDIC)
  4. Umoja Scholars Program

Umoja Scholars Program

a student recites poetry during a Juneteenth celebration

Akwaaba (Welcome) to our Umoja Scholars Program

Umoja, (a Kiswahili word meaning unity) is a program dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of African American and other students.

Umoja actively serves and promotes student success for all students through events, conferences, and curriculum that is responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas. 

You can be an Umoja Scholar.

Apply Now

umoja logo

  • Academics: accelerated, transferable, and aligned with your academic goals. Check out our 4-year university agreements and HBCU transfer options
  • Advising and counseling: both academic and personal. We help you plan your success and stay motivated
  • Leadership opportunities: campus and national activities to grow students' leadership skills
  • Lifelong networks: community of peers and faculty who increase your personal and professional growth
  • Anyone can apply to be an Umoja Scholar 
  • Please be aware that the program is specifically responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas and is informed by Umoja's 18 Core Practices
  • After you apply, you will receive an email with more information
  • Make sure to check your college email and your spam filter

After you have applied, to maintain your status as an Umoja Scholar, you must:

  • Complete the English and math placement within one quarter of acceptance
  • Complete English composition within two quarters of acceptance
  • Take Umoja Orientation within three quarters of acceptance
  • Complete HDC 101 within three quarters of acceptance 
  • Take at least one Umoja class per year
  • Raising "intentional & deliberate"
  • Ethic of love - the affective domain
  • Manifesting
  • Umoja counseling: affirming, integrated, intentional
  • The porch
  • Live learning
  • Language as power
  • Tapping African American intellectual, spiritual and artistic voices
  • Awareness of connection to African Diaspora
  • Community-based and communal intelligence
  • Acceleration - English, math, ESL and counsel
  • Occupy study spaces on campus
  • Mentoring
  • Mattering
  • Umoja as a power base
  • Encircling diversity
  • Gifting
  • Everybody's business
  • ENG 101: English Composition I
  • CMST 220: Public Speaking
  • PYSCH 250: Psychology of African Americans
  • HUM 125: Hip-Hop Theory and Culture
  • AME 200: Leadership and Social Change
  • POLS 170: Minority Politics in America
  • HEA 225: Global Health