UMOJA Community

It takes a village...

Fresno City College offers two student support programs, IDILE and SYMBAA, that are part of the Umoja community.

Umoja promotes student success and improved lifetime outcomes for all students through a curriculum that is responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas. When you are part of IDILE and/or SYMBAA, you are part of the larger community of Umoja.

Umoja is dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of African American and other students.

IDILE

The IDILE program, with an emphasis on the African American student experience, assists students in achieving success and is designed to increase the number of African American students transferring to four-year universities.

SYMBAA

The Fresno City College SYMBAA (Strengthening Young Minds by Academic Achievement) Program, provides services and support to assist with ensuring Fresno City College students are afforded the opportunity to transfer to a four-year university at UC/CSU/HBCU or any applicable college system, earn an AA/AS degree, certificates, and or vocational training.

Click here to learn more about Umoja Practices.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. ~African Proverb

Counseling Appointments

Photo of Dr. Smith Dr. Arrie Smith, Counselor/Coordinator

Scheduleduple an appointment with Dr. Arrie Smith

Phone:  559.443.8685
Email:   arrie.smith@fresnocitycollege.edu 





Photo of Ms. KnottDr. Tonia Knott, Counselor

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Tonia Knott

Phone:  559.443.2134
Email:   tonia.knott@fresnocitycollege.edu

Wednesdays - Fridays



Castillo, EricaMs. Erica Castillo, Counselor

Schedule an appointment with Ms. Erica Castillo

Phone:  559.442-8226
Email:   erica.castillo@fresnocitycollege.edu

Tuesdays - Wednesdays



  

HOURS

8:00 am - 5:00 pm 

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UPCOMING EVENTS 

 

Fresno City College

Attn: Student Services - IDILE/SYMBAA
1101 E University Avenue
Fresno, CA 93741

559 442-8200 #8226

 

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Information

Criteria:

  1. Enrolled in or has been enrolled in one or more Umoja cohort classes (Eng-1A, Afram-1, Couns-53, Math)
  2. Meet with an Umoja counselor once a semester with an updated Student Education Plan
  3. Uses or has used Umoja-sponsored resources, student services, or academic support services (tutoring, mentoring, etc.)
  4. Participating or participated in at least two of the following Umoja-sponsored activities: Porch Talk, leadership activities, college tour, club, or campus event

Umoja is dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of African American and other students. 

We provide:

Ongoing services and Supports

  • Priority registration*
  • “Village” space
  • Rituals and celebrations, such as Black Graduation and Middle Passage
  • Umoja club (PASU)
  • Business mixers (Community)
  • Tours of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) & local Universities
  • Awards
  • Connections to student government (ASG)
  • Community Involvement
  • Memorandum of understanding (MOUs) with four-year institutions*

Wraparound services

  • One on One Counseling
  • Mentoring (Peer+)
  • 1 on 1 Tutoring (Peer+)
  • Lending Library
  • Transportation (FCC ID cards)
  • Clothing - referrals
  • Food – FCC Pantry & Community
  • Social work intern providing non-academic support*

Fall                              Spring 

English 1A                  English 1A

Counseling 53           Counseling 48

Afram-1                       Afram-1

                                       Math 

FCC Admissions & Records

Phone: 559.443.8604
Admissions and Records

Bookstore

Phone: 559.443.8548

Book Store

Cal Works

Phone: 559.442.8286

CalWorks

Career & Employment Center

Phone: 559.442-8294

Career and Employment Center 

Clubs

Student Organizations

DSPS

Phone: 559.442.8237

DSPS

Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS)

Phone: 559.442.8231
EOPS

FCC Financial Aid

Phone: 559.442.8245
Financial Aid

Health & Wellness Center

Phone: 559-442-8268

Health & Wellness Center

HOPE Program

Contact: natalie.chavez@fresnocitycollege.edu

Housing Opportunities Promote Education (HOPE)

FCC Library

Phone: 559.442.8204
Library

Library Technology Loans

Phone: 559.442.8204

Library Tech. Loans

Programs

Programs to Help You Succeed

Psychological Services Office

Phone: 559.443.8687
Psychological Services

RAM Pantry

Phone: 559.443.8688
RAM Pantry

Student Activities

Phone: 559.443.8688

Student Activities 

Transfer Center

Phone: 559.442.8290 

Transfer Center

Tutorial Center

Phone: 559.442.8209

Tutoring

Welcome Center & Outreach

Phone: 559.442.8225

Welcome Center & Outreach

Porch Talks - Welcome to the Koo

Sistah Circle  

11:30 am - 1:00 pm @ OAB 251

  • September - 09.04.24 - Back to School/Start Strong (Manifesting)
  • October –      10.02.24 - Domestic Violence (Mattering)
  • November     11.06.24 – Thankfulness/Service (Community)
  • December –  12.04.24 - Cram Jam/Kwanzaa (African Diaspora)
  • January –       01.22.25 - Mentoring (Mentoring)
  • February –     02.12.25 - Black History Month (Black voices)
  • March           03.05.25 - Women’s History Month (Ethic of Love)
  • April –             04.09.25 - Stress Awareness (Everybody's Business)
  • May -               05.14.25 - Cram Jam/Finish Strong (Study spaces)

Barbershop 

11:30 am - 1:00 pm @ BE 129

  • September - 09.10.24 - Visionary Mindset (Manifesting)
  • October –      10.01.24 - Healthy vs. Toxic Love (Mattering)
  • November     11.12.24 – Paying It Forward (Community)
  • January –       01.21.25 - Who's The Goat? (Mentoring)
  • February –     02.11.25 - Relationships vs. Situationships
  • March           03.04.25 - Silent Struggles
  • April –             04.08.25 - Balling on A Budget

*Summer Bridge - July 18-19, 2024 @ FCC

*Student Leadership Summit - August 1-3, 2024 @ UC San Diego

*Welcome Black Week/Cookout - September 16-19, 2024 @ FCC

*HBCU Tour - October 16-20, 2024 @ Georgia

*UMOJA Student Leadership Conference - Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 2024 @ LA

*HBCU Caravan – November 4, 2024 - HBCU Representatives @ FCC

*A2MEND Summit - March 5-7, 2025 @ 

*UMOJA Symposia – 

*Black Graduation Celebration - May 17, 2025 @ FCC

*Rites of Passage - May 17, 2025 @ FCC

*Summer Learning Institute - 

*College/University campus tours – (Fall & Spring semesters) 

 

Black Graduation 2023

Umoja Gallery