About Us
Celebrating Over 30 Years of Black Scholar Excellence and Community
BCC Students on a trip to UCLA
BCC Students on a trip to CSU
Black Collegians Staff
Contact Information
OUR OFFICE IS OPEN AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU! Our office will be open Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm for in-person questions. The office will be closed on Fridays. We offer in-person, video, and phone counseling appointments. For more information, please call us at 310-434-4232 or email us at Black_Collegians@smc.edu
About us!
The Black Collegians Program/Umoja Community at SMC is designed to assist students of African descent in transferring to four-year universities and obtaining their Associate degree. We offer services to help you become academically competitive and to set personal goals. Black Collegians program staff and counselors provide a constant source of encouragement to our students and work with you to ensure that your needs are met.
The Black Collegians Program is a program within the statewide Umoja Community. As a recognized program within the Umoja Community, we abide by the mission and the educational philosophy of the Community and we share strategies and goals with other Umoja Community programs at the various California Community Colleges statewide.
Our Mission
Umoja, (a Kiswahili word meaning unity) is a community and critical resource dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of African American and other students. We believe that when the voices and histories of students are deliberately and intentionally recognized, the opportunity for self-efficacy emerges and a foundation is formed for academic success. Umoja actively serves and promotes student success for all students through a curriculum and pedagogy responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas.
Why Should You Join Us?
Because you will be loved and cared for! Our counselors and staff provide nurturing and up-to-date information to help you with preparing for transfer, getting your AA degree and/or certificate. Other points to note:
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On average, Black Collegians Umoja students have statistically higher GPAs than African American students who are not in the program.
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BC students persist to the next fall term at a higher rate than African American students who are not in the program.
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First-time freshman students and continuing students in the program successfully complete their enrolled courses at a higher rate than students who are not.
- We have an all-around family atmosphere. Participating in the program is like coming home to family.
How to Join Us?
There are two steps to joining the program:
1. The first step is to attend an orientation. Orientations for the Fall 2023 period will begin in June 2023 and we will offer both on-ground and Zoom orientations. Check back here for more information.
2. Meet with a Black Collegians Counselor for an interview and discuss your educational plans. We are looking for students who have at least two semesters left at SMC. If you are trying to join and this will be your last semester, you will be admitted on a case-by-case situation. To make an appointment with a BC Counselor, you will need to email us or call us to request an appointment.
This program is designed intentionally for students who identify as Black/African descent. The activities, rituals, programs that we offer are made espressly for Black students.
Black Collegians Umoja Community Orientations for Fall 2023
Open enrollment for the Fall 2023 semester is continuing until the end of September. We will host program orientations via Zoom video conference and in person on main campus throughout the open enrollment period. See the schedule below.
Students interested in joining our program will need to attend one (1) orientation
session to begin the program enrollment process. At the orientation, we will explain
our program benefits, requirements, and next steps in completing the enrollment process.
Upon registering for a zoom orientation, you will receive a personal meeting link
and password you will use to attend the scheduled orientation. For orientations meeting
in person on campus, please fill out the rsvp form so that your name will appear on
the sign in sheet when you arrive for the orientation.
Please arrive to the orientation on time. Orientations run about one hour in length.
If you have any questions about our program, please reach out to us via email at black_collegians@smc.edu. We are here to help you succeed here at SMC.
Orientation Schedule
Our Requirements
All Black Collegians Program participants need to meet the following criteria each semester during the academic year:
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Meet with a Black Collegians Program counselor at least twice each semester.
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Attend a minimum of three program activities.
For more information visit: Requirements