Umoja Community
African-American Success Through Excellence and Persistence (ASTEP)
What is Umoja ASTEP?
It is a year-long academic and community-mentoring program that is designed for African-American students. Umoja ASTEP includes a learning community and is created to promote graduation and transfer and to increase academic success. Umoja ASTEP addresses students' needs through academic and personal support and a curriculum focused on culture and issues facing the African-American community. Umoja ASTEP seeks to educate the whole student - body, mind, and spirit. Students are full participants in their learning and are expected to succeed. Students also invest and participate in their community. Umoja ASTEP aims to develop students into leaders and role models.
Umoja ASTEP is a member of the state-wide Umoja (Unity) Community Consortium.
Https:www.facebook.com/ASTEPBakersfieldCollege
Benefits of being part of Umoja ASTEP:
African-American Success Through Excellence and Persistence (ASTEP)
What is Umoja ASTEP?
It is a year-long academic and community-mentoring program that is designed for African-American students. Umoja ASTEP includes a learning community and is created to promote graduation and transfer and to increase academic success. Umoja ASTEP addresses students' needs through academic and personal support and a curriculum focused on culture and issues facing the African-American community. Umoja ASTEP seeks to educate the whole student - body, mind, and spirit. Students are full participants in their learning and are expected to succeed. Students also invest and participate in their community. Umoja ASTEP aims to develop students into leaders and role models.
Umoja ASTEP is a member of the state-wide Umoja (Unity) Community Consortium.
Https:www.facebook.com/ASTEPBakersfieldCollege
Benefits of being part of Umoja ASTEP:
- group tutoring
- simplified class schedules
- book loan program
- cultural field trips
- academic excellence celebrations
- college visits
- simplified path to CSUB
- support: The Umoja ASTEP counselor makes sure the student has an educational plan and stays on track to graduate and transfer. Students are matched with a community mentor in their field of study or with a BC faculty/staff mentor.
Eligibility for the Umoja ASTEP learning community:
- complete ASTEP application
- meet with the Umoja ASTEP coordinator and counselor
- complete FAFSA application
- complete assessment tests in English, reading, and math
- have not completed any of the required courses (English 1a, Student Dev 2 and 6, Library 1)
program requirements:
- enroll in Umoja ASTEP learning community classes
- meet with Umoja ASTEP counselor twice a semester
- meet with mentor twice a month or be involved with the Umoja Club
- attend at least one SI or Village study sessions each week
- have an interest in the African-American experience.
Summer 2019
· participate in Welcome to the Umoja ASTEP Community orientation in August
Fall 2019
- Enroll in the Umoja African-American Success Through Excellence and Persistence Learning Community English 1a: Introductory Composition (with an African-American emphasis) 3.5 units taught by Dr. Paula Parks and Student Development B6: Tools for College Survival Skills (3 units) taught by Mr.Jonathan Ward and Library 1 (1 unit) taught by Ms. Faith Bradham or Ms. Allison Burch.
· stay in contact with mentors
· participate in Umoja activities and Village and SI study sessions
Optional: enroll in Math 22 Statistics taught by Mr. Michael Little
Spring 2020
· Enroll in the Umoja African-American Learning Community: English 1a: Introductory Composition (with an African-American emphasis), 3.5 units, taught by Dr. Parks, Student Development B2: Career (2 units), taught by Umoja ASTEP counselor Mr. Jonathan Ward, and Library 1 (1 unit) taught by Ms. Faith Bradham. OR
* Enroll in English 1b: Intro to Lit (with an African-American emphasis) taught by Dr. Paula Parks, Student Development B2: Career (2 units) taught by Umoja ASTEP counselor Mr. Jonathan Ward
· Optional courses: Math 22 taught by Mr. Michael Little
* Optional course: Astronomy 1 taught by Mr. Gilbert Ayuk
· stay in contact with mentors
· participate in Umoja activities and Village and SI study sessions
Year two
enroll in Umoja2 taught by Dr. Parks
· see Umoja ASTEP counselor
· meet with mentors
· participate in Umoja ASTEP activities
·
The Umoja ASTEP team:
Dr. Paula Parks, Umoja ASTEP English professor/coordinator
Mr. Jonathan Ward, Umoja ASTEP counselor
Ms. Faith Bradham, Umoja ASTEP librarian
Mr. Michael Little, Umoja ASTEP math instructor
Mr. Gilbert Ayuk, Umoja ASTEP astronomy instructor