Umoja Open House Celebrates Growth and Transformation at Riverside City College

The Umoja program at Riverside City College hosted a special Open House event, bringing together students, faculty, classified professionals, and administrators to celebrate recent updates to the Umoja homeroom and unveil a newly repurposed flower planter, formerly a non-functional fountain.

The event served a dual purpose: to showcase the revitalized Umoja space and to introduce the community to an inspiring transformation of an old fountain into a symbol of renewal and growth. Guests were invited to plant seeds in the new flower planter, reinforcing the Umoja program’s mission of fostering student success and personal development.

“My idea behind planting seeds was to symbolize the growth we hope to see in both our space and our students,” said Rosana Gomez, Umoja and Rising Scholars Educational Advisor. “By inviting everyone to plant a seed, we encouraged a shared commitment to nurturing and supporting our students as they grow and thrive.”

The Umoja program is dedicated to providing academic, cultural, and personal enrichment opportunities for students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. The homeroom renovations and the symbolic planter serve as reminders of the Umoja community’s commitment to creating a welcoming, supportive environment where students can flourish.