UMOJA

UMOJA SCHOLAR’S ACADEMY (BCCUSA)

Purpose:
The intent of BCCUSA is to provide access to African American students and others who would appreciate and benefit learning from the African Diaspora viewpoint.  The commonality among these students will be an academic competitive spirit and the desire to attain an advanced education.
Goals:

  • Obliterate the achievement gap for African Americans by instituting an alternative approach that considers the wholeness of the human being: mind, body and spirit
  • Increase access to those populations that have historically experienced a wide achievement gap in academia
  • Create a welcoming environment that encourages self-efficacy (one’s sense of self-efficacy can play a major role in how one approaches goals, tasks and challenges, Albert Bandura)
  • Increase transfer rates to four-year institutions
  • Personalize within the individual the desire to succeed

Benefits & Services:

  • Dedicated Tutors
  • Book Vouchers
  • Virtual mentorship
  • Virtual sister circle
  • Virtual men’s huddle
  • Virtual space and team activities
  • Virtual Village Space
  • Virtual Fieldtrip
  • Virtual Study Hall
  • Access to Technology
  • Priority Registration
  • Cultural Events & Field Trips
  • Dedicated Counselor
  • Semester check-in
  • Team Building & Semester Break Activities
  • Cohort Classes
  • Specialized Career, Graduation & Transfer Assistance
  • Scholarships

 

For More Information Contact:
Shannon Penn, UMOJA Coordinator
Email: shannonpenn@peralta.edu

Skyler Barton, LC Counselor
Email: sbarton@peralta.edu

Find your Community

Puente

Puente is a nationally recognized transfer readiness program sponsored by the University of California, serving thousands of Puentistas in middle schools, high schools, and community colleges across the state. 

Umoja

Provides an African-American learning experience for African-American students and others who would benefit from and appreciate learning from the African Diaspora viewpoint.

API L.E.A.D.

The intent of API L.E.A.D. is to provide access and support to the diverse group of students that identify as Asian and Pacific Islander (API) and others who would appreciate and benefit from learning from the API perspective.

IGNITE Scholars

The mission of IGNITE Scholars is to help you, a first-time college student, obtain an associate degree in two to three years and direct you to the right classes to transfer to a four-year college or university and possibly earn and AAT/AST degree. This innovative cohort program provides intensive support and early planning to help you succeed in college.

BCC’s Society of Scholars are cohort-based, meaning students take classes with the same group of students and move forward together to reach their educational goals. This enables students to have a support system within their peers, building relationships and connections with one another as they help each other succeed. This peer support is in addition to the support they also receive from BCC’s dedicated instructors and counselors who provide valuable support services such as individual counseling, tutoring, mentoring, and educational planning β€” all to ensure a successful transfer to jobs and/or a four-year university.

Society of Scholars Benefits

  • Free books for core classes
  • 2 years of free tuition
  • CSU/UC application workshops
  • Virtual Study Hall
  • Collaborative learning in the classroom; a supportive community of peers, instructors, and counselors
  • Access to Society of Scholars counselors
  • Creation of a comprehensive student education plan (SEP) for transfer
  • Priority registration
  • Field trips, Conferences
  • Guest speakers, interactive learning environment, and much more

Society of Scholars and Equity Model: Six Student Success Factors

  • Directed: students have a goal and know how to achieve it
  • Focused: students stay on trackβ€”keeping their eyes on the prize
  • Nurtured: students feel somebody wants to help them to succeed
  • Engaged: students actively participate in class and extracurricular activities
  • Connected: students feel like they are part of the college community
  • Valued: students’ skills, talents, abilities and experiences are recognized; they have opportunities to contribute on campus and feel their contributions are appreciated.

 

Society of Scholars Counselors

Interested in learning more?

Please complete the Society of Scholars Interest Form and a Society of Scholars representative will contact you.

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Interested in learning more?

Please complete the Society of Scholars Interest Form and a Society of Scholars representative will contact you.

Campus Events

Berkeley -  Last Day to File Petitions for Degree/Certificate
event date: 2025-10-10
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 0
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Last Day to File Petitions for Degree/Certificate

10/10 at 12:00am - |

Berkeley -  Last Day to Add Regular Session Classes in-person with a Permission Number
event date: 2025-11-12
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 0
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Last Day to Add Regular Session Classes in-person with a Permission Number

11/12 at 12:00am - |

Berkeley -  Last Day to File for PASS/NO PASS Grading Option
event date: 2025-12-06
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 0
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Last Day to File for PASS/NO PASS Grading Option

12/06 at 12:00am - |

Berkeley -  Final Exams
event date: 2025-12-07
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 6
unit: days
today: 2025-10-08

Final Exams

12/07 at 12:00am - 12/13 |

Berkeley -  Fall Semester Ends
event date: 2025-12-13
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 0
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Fall Semester Ends

12/13 at 12:00am - |

Berkeley -  Final Grades Due
event date: 2025-12-20
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 0
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Final Grades Due

12/20 at 12:00am - |

Berkeley -  Building Blocks of Financial Wellness
event date: 2025-10-08
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 1
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Building Blocks of Financial Wellness

10/08 at 05:00pm - 06:00pm | Room 431

BCC's Hispanic Serving Institution team is offering financial wellness workshops sponsored by Patelco Credit Union. These workshops will cover the basics of budgeting, saving, credit building, and financial planning, to simplify financial education topics and make the path to financial freedom easy and accessible! Dinner will be available to all who RSVP!

Learn more
Berkeley -  Building Blocks of Financial Wellness
event date: 2025-10-29
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 1
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Building Blocks of Financial Wellness

10/29 at 05:00pm - 06:00pm | Room 431

BCC's Hispanic Serving Institution team is offering financial wellness workshops sponsored by Patelco Credit Union. These workshops will cover the basics of budgeting, saving, credit building, and financial planning, to simplify financial education topics and make the path to financial freedom easy and accessible! Dinner will be available to all who RSVP!

Learn more
Berkeley -  Building Blocks of Financial Wellness
event date: 2025-11-05
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 1
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Building Blocks of Financial Wellness

11/05 at 05:00pm - 06:00pm | Room 431

BCC's Hispanic Serving Institution team is offering financial wellness workshops sponsored by Patelco Credit Union. These workshops will cover the basics of budgeting, saving, credit building, and financial planning, to simplify financial education topics and make the path to financial freedom easy and accessible! Dinner will be available to all who RSVP!

Learn more
Berkeley -  Loteria! Loteria!
event date: 2025-10-08
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 1
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Loteria! Loteria!

10/08 at 12:20pm - 01:20pm | Student Lounge

Join us in the student lounge October 8th to play a lively loteria! Enjoy delicious food while playing for prizes.

Berkeley -  Spooky Boba Bash!
event date: 2025-10-28
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 2
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Spooky Boba Bash!

10/28 at 02:00pm - 04:00pm | Laney College Bistro (900 Fallon St, Oakland)

BCC, CoA, and Laney AAPI LEAD hosting Spooky Boba Bash Event for students across all three campuses to come meet and network with each other and build community.

Learn more
Berkeley -  Dia de los Muertos
event date: 2025-11-01
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 1
unit: days
today: 2025-10-08

Dia de los Muertos

11/01 at 12:00am - 11/02 | Atrium

During the month of October through November, celebrate Dia de Los Muertos with us! A month to honor and celebrate your departed loved ones. Visit our offrenda (altar) and leave a memento behind!

Berkeley -  Navigating Basic Needs Support & Resources
event date: 2025-10-20
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 1
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Navigating Basic Needs Support & Resources

10/20 at 12:30pm - 01:30pm | UCRC (Room 126B)

Navigating Basic Needs Support & Resources
πŸ• 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
πŸ“ UCRC (Room 126B)

Berkeley -  Undocu Solidarity Day
event date: 2025-10-22
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 1
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Undocu Solidarity Day

10/22 at 12:30pm - 01:30pm | UCRC (Room 126B)

Undocu Solidarity Day
πŸ• 12:20 PM – 1:20 PM
πŸ“ UCRC (Room 126B)
🍽️ Lunch provided

Berkeley -  UCRC Witchy Wellness: Embrace the Magic of Self-Care
event date: 2025-10-28
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 1
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

UCRC Witchy Wellness: Embrace the Magic of Self-Care

10/28 at 03:00pm - 04:00pm | UCRC (Room 126B)

UCRC Witchy Wellness: Embrace the Magic of Self-Care
πŸ• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
πŸ“ UCRC (Room 126B)

Berkeley -  Arte Repujado
event date: 2025-10-13
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 1
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Arte Repujado

10/13 at 01:20pm - 02:20pm | UCRC (Room 126B)

EOPS Presents: Arte Repujado – Butterfly Tin Ornaments Workshop
πŸ• 12:20 PM – 1:20 PM
πŸ“ UCRC (Room 126B)
🍽️ Lunch provided

Berkeley -  Undocu Student Success Keynote
event date: 2025-10-14
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 1
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Undocu Student Success Keynote

10/14 at 01:20pm - 02:20pm | BCC Atrium

Undocu Student Success Keynote
Conversation with Professor Bill Ong Hing – Immigrant Rights Attorney and Law Professor at USF
πŸ• 12:20 PM – 1:20 PM
πŸ“ BCC Atrium
🍽️ Lunch provided

Berkeley -  Know Your Rights Workshop
event date: 2025-10-16
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 1
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

Know Your Rights Workshop

10/16 at 01:20pm - 02:20pm | UCRC (Room 126B)

Know Your Rights Workshop in collaboration with Immigrant Legal Defense
πŸ• 12:20 PM – 1:20 PM
πŸ“ UCRC (Room 126B)
🍽️ Lunch provided

Berkeley -  UCRC Movie & Popcorn Social
event date: 2025-10-17
duration_days: 0
duration_number: 2
unit: hours
today: 2025-10-08

UCRC Movie & Popcorn Social

10/17 at 03:00pm - 05:00pm | UCRC (Room 126B)

UCRC Movie & Popcorn Social
πŸ• 3PM – 5PM
πŸ“ UCRC (Room 126B)