The Umoja Summer Bridge program is a six-week program for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Summer Bridge is open to all students, but it was designed specifically for Black/African-American students, with a focus on Black/African-American themes. Since 1991, the Umoja Summer Bridge Program has provided intensive academic preparation, highly individualized academic advising, and enrichment programs in a nurturing summer setting. Bridge students have a fantastic opportunity to improve their academic skills, develop a peer support network, and become acquainted with the demands of college life. Summer Bridge students will earn four UC/CSU transfer credits in academically rigorous courses, which will be added to their official MiraCosta College transcript. Students in the Bridge Program will also receive assistance in selecting courses, planning their careers, and meeting degree requirements during the six-week summer session.
Benefits
- Attend MiraCosta Community College for free. All supplies and expenses for the campus, field trips, and cultural activities are included, as are all meals.
- Receive a thorough assessment of your academic and personal skills for college success.
- Engage in career/vocational exploration activities to assist you in making sound career decisions.
- Get an orientation to college so you can learn early on how college works and what resources are available to you.
- Learn the necessary study skills, time management strategies, goal setting strategies, and test taking strategies for academic success.
- Make new friends and form a support system with other Umoja Summer Bridge students to improve your group and social skills.
Professional Development
Umoja is an Academic Success and Equity (ASE) program. ASE programs provide professional development workshops and encourage all ASE students to take a career and life planning course. These curricular and co-curricular offers encourage and assist students in making informed judgments about their career and life choices, thereby boosting their employability.
Eligibility
To participate in the Umoja Summer Bridge Program, students must:
- be either a sophomore, junior, or senior in high school
- be able to commit to the entire six-week period.
Additional requirements to complete are:
- Complete a MiraCosta College admissions application.
- Recent high school graduates: Complete the 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the CA Dream Act application (for California AB540 eligible students) for the summer 2023 semester.
- If you are attending college in fall 2023, you will also need to complete the 2023-24 Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the CA Dream Act application.
- Continuing high school students can apply for financial aid during their senior year of high school.
If you meet these qualifications, please apply for the Umoja Summer Bridge Program using the link below! In addition to completing the application, we would love for you to attend any of the information sessions listed below, where we can assist you with form completion and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you in better understanding higher education and job opportunities.
Apply For the Umoja Summer Bridge Program
Summer Bridge Brochure
Make a Donation
To make a tax-deductible contribution to the Summer Bridge Program, visit the Foundation website and select “Summer Bridge Program” from the Designation menu.
Or mail a check made out to the MiraCosta College Foundation to:
1 Barnard Drive MS 7
Oceanside CA 92056
*Please specify the Summer Bridge Program in the memo line.
Every donation makes a difference. Your contribution supports:
- Student scholarships
- University campus tours
- Unique cultural activities
- Student retention activities and incentives
- Program development
Contact Us
For more information on these services and programs contact:
Nathan Klein
he/him
Umoja Counselor Coordinator
Oceanside Campus
nklein@miracosta.edu
Carolyn Goodspeed
she/her
Student Services Specialist
Student Equity Department
cgoodspeed@miracosta.edu
The Umoja Program is a service of the Department of Student Equity. For general inquiries about all Student Equity programs and services, please contact us at studentequity@miracosta.edu or call our main office at 760.757.2121 x6900.
