Riverside City College Umoja Program Receives Two Statewide Awards for Excellence and Student Achievement
Riverside City College’s (RCC) Umoja Program has been recognized with two major statewide honors at the 2025 UMOJA Annual Conference in San Jose, solidifying RCC’s role as a leader in culturally responsive education and Black student success across California.
RCC Umoja received the Ma’at Impact Award, the highest distinction presented to the Best UMOJA Program in the State of California. This award recognizes the program’s exemplary leadership, student-centered initiatives, and its strong record of fostering belonging, academic success, and personal growth.
In addition, RCC received a second statewide honor for having the Most STEM Graduates of any Umoja program in California—a testament to Umoja’s intentional work in building academic pathways and expanding representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
Dean Herbert L. English, Dean of Counseling, shared “Riverside City College’s UMOJA program earning two top awards at the annual statewide UMOJA conference is a powerful affirmation of the excellence, commitment, and community we cultivate on our campus. Being recognized as the best UMOJA program in California, while also leading the state in STEM graduates, highlights the transformative impact of our students and the educators who support them. This achievement reflects not only academic success, but the strength, resilience, and brilliance of our UMOJA scholars who continue to redefine what is possible.”
These statewide honors underscore Umoja’s role as a model for culturally responsive education and academic excellence. For the program, the awards affirm that its relationship-centered approach—anchored in mentorship, intrusive advising, leadership development, and community-building—is not only effective, but exemplary. The recognition strengthens Umoja’s visibility across California, reinforces support from institutional partners, and opens new opportunities for funding and collaboration.
Corey Timberlake, PhD, emphasized the importance of the awards by sharing an African Proverb: “Until the Lion learns to speak, the tale of the hunt will always favor the Hunter.”
He further explained “These awards represent our students finding—and using—their voice. Their success is a testament to their courage, resilience, and the power of a community that believes in them.”
For students, the awards validate their work, brilliance, and resilience. Being part of an award-winning program strengthens their transfer competitiveness, enhances scholarship and internship opportunities, and reinforces pride in belonging to a community where their cultural identity and academic goals are celebrated.
These achievements reflect Umoja’s holistic and culturally grounded approach to uplifting students through intentional, high-impact practices. The program’s success is rooted in its high-
engagement homeroom communities that foster consistency and belonging; leadership and identity-centered workshops that build confidence and purpose; and strong faculty involvement that extends learning beyond the classroom. Students benefit from transfer-centered opportunities such as university tours, as well as civic engagement, student clubs, and peer mentorship that cultivate leadership and agency. Umoja’s close partnerships with academic support services ensure students have access to tutoring and structured study strategies, while campus and community collaborations reinforce retention, persistence, and overall well-being. All of this is strengthened by culturally responsive counseling, intrusive advising, and holistic mentoring guided by Umoja principles—creating a community where students are seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Together, these practices create an environment where students are seen, supported, and empowered to excel.
RCC’s presence at the conference included a dedicated team of staff and student leaders:
- Dean Herbert L. English, Dean of Counseling
- Corey Timberlake, PhD, Umoja Coordinator and Counselor
- Alejandra Laguna, Administrative Student Support
- Joshua Carney, Ujima Student Club Cabinet Member
- Laniyah Wilson, Ujima Student Club President
- Malik Herndon, Umoja Peer Mentor
- Milan Broadus, Umoja Peer Mentor
- Kevin Maye, Umoja Peer Mentor