Umoja is a program and a community at Highline that focuses on culture while improving education for students, both African American and not. 

Highline established the Umoja program in the fall of 2015 and is one of 71 colleges that offer it.

Umoja (a Kiswahili word meaning unity) allows students to explore who they are culturally and as people of color. In addition to exploring how their culture is related, the program offers academics, advising, counseling, tutoring, financial aid, and scholarships.

The academics take the form of the Core Umoja Learning Community Classes, which have a different approach to what similar classes may offer.

“All of these classes are themed, focused on Black history, Black culture, and Black experiences,” said Krystal Welch, director of Cohort Learning Experiences and Umoja.

“Every quarter, it changes. Typically we do English 101 and 102, Sociology, Black Psychology, which is Psychology 100. Spring quarter we always do Math, Statistics,” said Welch. “We try to sprinkle in science and communication as well,” she added.

The program offers students the opportunity to grow and interact with students who have had similar experiences.

“It’s very educational and insightful. All the people you meet here, you get to see other peoples’ perspectives and gain a sense of community,” says Hawi Samuel, a student in the Umoja program.

“It’s very interactive with other students and all the teachers. There’s a lot of different events and programs which allow us to interact with each other,” said Kalkidan Kabeto, another student in the Umoja program.

“It’s been pretty great, there’s Black people everywhere, I love it,” said Oluwanifemi Akinwande, who is also part of the Umoja program. “The sense of community is great, yurr,” she added.

For Black History Month, Umoja has lined up several events to showcase different aspects of life in the Black community both in and out of Highline.

On February 22, Umoja will be hosting the Black Business Expo, where Black-owned businesses in the community will attend to inform attendees on what it is they offer.

The expo will be hosted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Mt. Constance, Building 8.

Additionally, the program, “Ubuntu: A Conversation About The African Experience”, was planned for February 14, but was was delayed due to sudden snowfall and subsequent school delay.

The potluck event was meant to allow Black and African students to share their stories and experiences with the community.

Plans are being made to reschedule the event, and students interested in bringing food to contribute to the potluck can sign up here.