Umoja

Two Black/African American women and one Black/African American man seated together in front of a laptop

About Us

The Umoja Scholars Program is an affiliate of the global Umoja Community. Umoja is a Kiswahili word meaning Unity. The Umoja Scholars Program is a supportive learning community and critical resource dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of Black, African American, and other students. We believe that when the voices and histories of students are deliberately and intentionally recognized and honored, the opportunity for self-efficacy emerges and a foundation is formed for academic success. The Umoja Scholars Program at Bellevue College actively supports and promotes student success through ethnocentric curriculum and pedagogy responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas and experiences of students.

The Umoja Scholars Program at Bellevue College provides culturally relevant:

  • College entry knowledge and support
  • Coaching with financial aid application process
  • Dedicated academic advising to create an academic road map to achieve your goals
  • Dedicated instructors with culturally relevant teaching practices
  • Access to mental health counseling (African American Counselor)
  • Intentional connections to campus and community resources
  • Assistance with university transfer process
  • Access to mentoring opportunities
  • Cultural events and activities
Umoja Scholars Program Brochure

All Umoja Community Programs adopt 18 Core practices to support student success:

Raising “Intentional & Deliberate”, Ethic of Love- the Affective Domain, Manifesting, Umoja Counseling: Affirming, Integrated, Intentional, The Porch, Live Learning, Language as Power, Tapping African American Intellectual, Spiritual, and Artistic Voices, Awareness of Connectedness to African Diaspora, Community-building Communal Intelligence, Acceleration- English, Math, ESL, and Counseling, Occupy Study Spaces on Campus, Mentoring, Mattering, Umoja as Power Base, Encircling Diversity, Gifting, Everybody’s Business.

Want more information about our Bellevue College UMOJA Scholars Program? Attend one of our upcoming information sessions or schedule a meeting with the Umoja Scholars Program Lead.

Darnita Boynton Howard, Program Lead                   

d.boyntonhoward@bellevuecollege.edu                     

Schedule a meeting

Eligibility

  • Currently enrolled or in process of enrolling at Bellevue College
  • Has not completed an Umoja-supported course (FYS and/or ENG&101)

Umoja Scholar Participation in the Academic Year

During the academic year, an Umoja Scholar must meet two or more of the following criteria:

  • Enroll in or has been enrolled in an Umoja-supported class. *First year students must enroll in Umoja FYS and Umoja ENG101.
  • Access Umoja counseling and academic advising.
  • Access Umoja-sponsored resources, student services, or academic support services.
  • Participate in at least two of the following Umoja-sponsored activities: workshops, events, leadership activities, conferences; or HBCU and other college tour.

Application Process

  1. Apply to Bellevue College.
  2. Apply to Umoja Scholars Program.
  3. Submit FAFSA or WAFSA.
  4. Register for placement testing.
  5. Attend New Student Orientation and New Student Enrollment.
  6. Register for classes with Umoja Advisor.
  7. Attend Umoja Scholars Orientation.

Umoja Scholars Student Application

Darnita Boynton Howard

Umoja Scholars Program Lead

Education: Darnita holds a B.A. in Mass Communications from
Bennett College. She also attended University of North Carolina -Greensboro for Communication Studies.

Background: Darnita has worked in K-12 public schools and higher education providing intervention strategies and engagement opportunities to promote student success. As an educator, Darnita’s focus has always been to empower students, uplift the voices of underrepresented populations, and to hold sacred space for brave conversations.

Hobbies/Interests: As part of her self-care, Darnita travels to Kpop concerts, designs surface patterns for textiles, and creates stunning digital fractals.

Email: d.boyntonhoward@bellevuecollege.edu

Schedule an appointment


Jamila Bates– Assistant Professor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Department: Counseling, Student Support

Biography: Jamila Bates is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with an M.S. in the Mental Health Counseling from Manhattan College and a B.A. in Sociology from The George Washington University. She has worked in numerous educational and community settings in the US, Morocco and Thailand.
In her counseling she works to provide a safe place for her clients to speak about their life experiences and beliefs in a non-judgmental environment. Working along with her clients to explore themes, patterns, behaviors, and thoughts that have developed over time through a systemic approach. Therapeutically she is interested in working with people on navigating life’s transitions, helping people form stronger connections with themselves and others, navigating anxiety/ depression and coping with racism. The therapeutic framework she utilizes are CBT and Existential therapy.
In her personal life, she enjoys traveling, watching women and men’s basketball, ceramics and going to live concerts.

Core Belief: That our time is the most precious thing, and to honor that I want to make sure that I am spending it in the way that I am proud of.

Email address : Jamila.Bates@Bellevuecollege.edu


Shavon English

Academic Advisor

Education: Shavon English holds a master’s in education from California State University, Sacramento, Bachelor of Arts degree in African American and African Studies and Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development from the University of California, Davis.

Background: Shavon English is happy to serve as your Academic Advisor! Her nineteen-year career has been focused on being a resource and advocate for students-helping them reach their educational goals and providing support in other life situations.

Hobbies/Interest: Shavon enjoys making memories with her three children and other family members, baking, and preparing plant-based meals and volunteering at and with her congregation in various ministries.

Email: shavon.english@bellevuecollege.edu

Schedule an appointment



Tamara Boynton Howard
– Health & Wellness, BAS Program Chair and First Year Seminar Faculty

Biography: Tamara Boynton Howard, MPH is a health educator with a focus on goal setting, building relationships and comprehensive plus sex education. Her goal is to make healthy relationships the norm. Her education background includes a BA in psychology and MPH in community health education. She has taught in the community and public schools for over 15 years. Her first book Write Your Life Right is a tool designed to help people get on the right track to better health. Tamara resides in the Pacific Northwest with her wife, Darnita. They love listening to Kpop, traveling, and eating really fancy food on special occasions.

Email: t.boyntonhoward@bellevuecollege.edu


Elexa Moore– Umoja Faculty

Title: Student Success Librarian

Email: elexa.moore@bellevuecollege.edu

Office: D126I (1st Floor of the Library near the Collaboratory)


Hi everyone! My name is Elexa Moore (she/her), and I am the Student Success Librarian at Bellevue College who supports the Umoja Scholars Program. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Digital Design and minor in Art History from Seattle University as well as a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Washington. I have worked at Bellevue College for the last 3 years and have enjoyed working with students just like you, to help them find the resources they need to be successful in their classes. You may see me around campus, teaching workshops or visiting classes, sharing how to navigate our library databases and evaluate information. It has been such a joy to connect with students in the Umoja Scholars Program so far, so please feel free to reach out directly to me if you need help with research, citations, or anything library related.


When I’m not working on campus, I like to travel, go to concerts, visit museums, exercise, and make pottery. You can probably tell I’m into the arts! If you ever want to chat about favorite music artists or need recommendations about museums, I’m happy to share.


Stacy Woodruff – Umoja Faculty and Mentor

Title: Assistant Professor, Healthcare Management and Leadership BAS Program

Education: My journey in the healthcare field has been diverse, encompassing roles as a billing specialist, clinical manager, and compliance officer. These varied experiences have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the industry, which I am eager to bring to our classroom. My academic background includes a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Public Administration and a Master’s in Higher Education Leadership. I am currently pursuing my Ed.D. in Public Health with a focus on Leadership. With over 10 years of teaching and administrative roles in higher education, I am a proud member of WSHIMA, AHIMA, ASPA, and NEA. I am also committed to helping my community navigate Washington State Health Care through a non-profit organization.

Purpose: I want to provide you with a well-rounded understanding of healthcare management and compliance, emphasizing the significance of humility in our work. In my teaching philosophy, I strive to foster an environment where humility is valued and embraced.

Hobbies/Interest: Outside of my professional life, I have several hobbies that I enjoy, including cooking, bike riding, and watching movies (sci-fi, thrillers, and documentaries). I am also a proud pet owner of two dogs: a Bernese Mountain Dog, Jeffery, and a Great Pyrenees, Viola. We love taking them to the beach, and they are both very spoiled.

Email: stacy.woodruff@bellevuecollege.edu


Veratta Pegram-Floyd– Administrator and Umoja Mentor

Title: Director of Student Orientation, Advising, and Retention

Identities:

Native Seattleite | Double Alumna of
Seattle University (# jeSUit ) | First Gen
College Graduate | Former Foster Youth |
Inclusive and Equity Focused Educator |
Practitioner Scholar

Email: veratta.pegram-floyd@bellevuecollege.edu


Ariane Hayes -Administrator

Title: Dean, HSEWI


Theophile Theba– Umoja Peer Coordinator/Peer Educator

I am an international student here at Bellevue College.

Background: I was born in 2002 on November the 4th in Congo DR. Graduated from high school in 2020 at Bellevue school of Lubumbashi in Industrial Electronic, my parents decided that I should continue my journey in the United States of America, in the same year I came in US. So, in 2021 on January the 4th I started at Bellevue college in ELI program which is an English program at Bellevue college for every international student. I did two quarters over there, and began with my associate’s program which is touching to the end next spring. I am majoring in art and sciences especially in Information Systems and Technology, so I am in college for almost two years now. This is a little bit about me.


Angie Kulenduka– Black Students Affinity Coordinator

Email: blackstudents-ac@bellevuecollege.edu

Biography: My name is Angie Kulenduka. I’m Congolese and have been living in the USA for 2 years now. I’m passionate about learning new things and experiencing new and different cultures. One of my favorite quotes is ‘Always ask yourself if what you’re doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow’ by Paulo Coelho.

Umoja-supported Courses

  • Umoja Section FYS: First Year Seminar OE – LEC (15150)
  • HD 131: Understanding Personal Relationships AYA-LEC (17354)
  • *HCML 340: Human Resources Management in Healthcare (*For students admitted into the Healthcare Management & Leadership BAS or Radiation & Imaging Sciences BAS, or permission of the program) OA-LEC (9193)

Last Updated December 19, 2024