Strong support system provides keys to transfer<\/p>\n
The Swahili word for unity is \u201cUmoja,\u201d which serves as both the name and central idea of the on-campus program offering a support system to underrepresented student groups on campus.<\/p>\n
San Jose City College students Kristyn Blue, 20, criminal justice major, and Imani Caldwell, 19, graphic design major, are prime examples of student success from the Umoja Program.<\/p>\n
Blue has been attending SJCC since fall 2011. She was introduced to the program as a senior in high school.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was approached by (Khalid) White, who told me about the program,\u201d Blue said.<\/p>\n
She participated in the program from fall 2011 to spring 2012. With the help of instructors and faculty, she said she has performed well in school and continues to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was able to get a 4.0 GPA with their help,\u201d Blue said. \u201cNow I\u2019m maintaining a 3.8 GPA.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a criminal justice major, Blue plans to work in law enforcement or as a correctional officer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI plan to work for the Santa Clara County Sheriff\u2019s Department one day,\u201d Blue said.<\/p>\n
She balances both academics and athletics as a member of the track team. She says it is an excellent way to relieve the stress caused by her busy schedule.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrack is what keeps me sane,\u201d Blue said.<\/p>\n
Blue is looking at universities with National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II track and field programs. Division II is the second level of the association where smaller universities typically compete.<\/p>\n
Caldwell is in her second year at SJCC and is preparing to graduate in May. She began participating in the program in fall 2012.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mom works here and she introduced me to Khalid White,\u201d Caldwell said.<\/p>\n
Caldwell says the program has affected her in a very positive way.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has kept me really involved in school,\u201d Caldwell said. \u201cIt\u2019s very eye opening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caldwell hopes to work in the advertising business and possibly in web design.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn five years I\u2019d like to be working in the field and making use of my degree,\u201d Caldwell said.<\/p>\n
Caldwell plans on transferring to California State University, Fresno or Fayetteville State University in North Carolina.<\/p>\n
The main focus of the program is improving skills in reading, writing classes and ethnic studies classes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf students are below transfer-level English,\u201d history instructor Khalid White said, \u201cwe do our best to get them to at least English 1A.\u201d<\/p>\n
White said students participating in the program take a guidance course in their first semester to get them on the right track.<\/p>\n
Academic and personal counselors work together with students to ensure academic success, develop leadership skills and prepare students for the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe program provides community support to help students transfer,\u201d White said.<\/p>\n
There is an application that can be filled out with a few prerequisites. The application can be obtained from Pamela Turner, Umoja counselor, or Elizabeth Eckford, Umoja program specialist.<\/p>\n
Students need to be enrolled in courses as high as English 92 and Reading 101. They will then be evaluated by an English professor to determine their reading and writing level.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s primarily based in the African-American student group,\u201d White said. \u201cBut it\u2019s open for anybody to join.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n White has been working with the program for six years and he reflects on how much Blue and Caldwell have grown since they have been in the program.<\/p>\n \u201cNormally it would take them roughly five or six years to transfer,\u201d White said. \u201cBut now they\u2019re beating the statistics.\u201d<\/p>\n White expressed the enjoyment he finds in working with the program.<\/p>\n \u201cI enjoy being a part of something important,\u201d White said.<\/p>\n The Umoja program is a resource that can provide support for those who ask for it.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m always going to thank the Umoja program,\u201d Blue said.<\/p>\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Strong support system provides keys to transfer The Swahili word for unity is \u201cUmoja,\u201d which serves as both the name and central idea of the on-campus program offering a support system to underrepresented student groups on campus. San Jose City College students Kristyn Blue, 20, criminal justice major, and Imani Caldwell, 19, graphic design major,…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":88915,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"staff_name":[635],"class_list":["post-9302","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-campus-life","staff_name-steven-canalez"],"yoast_head":"\n