Three separate programs: Puente, MESA and Umoja, each designed to change the lives of its members, combined their efforts to open a new shared space located in the vacant building that was formerly used for the counseling department at Diablo Valley College.

Each of these three programs provides academic and communal support for its members from groups of varying demographics.

According to the Umoja community website, “Umoja is a learning community dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences of African American and other students.”

Puente program’s mission is to increase the number of Mexican American/Latino students transferring to four-year colleges and universities while providing a supportive and simulating environment for its program’s students to build confidence in their skills.

MESA, which stands for Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement, is a statewide program for full-time students majoring in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) that provides academic enrichment to educationally or economically disadvantaged community college students.

The three programs opened the building on Jan. 29. It is serving as a common multi-purpose facility designed to host and serve the multitudes of students who have found success and inspiration through participation in these programs.

The space contains couches, computers, private study rooms with desks and a large room designed for group work. This contains an entire wall covered in dry-erase paint designed to serve as a large canvas to work on math problems, diagrams and art.

The opening of this space (located across from the Learning Center) was made possible through the diligence of the various coordinators from each of the three programs combined with the support of the DVC administration.

MESA coordinator Maitreyee Chandra was one of the active proponents for the opening of the new shared space and noted the progressive nature of this project.

“In shaping the academic journey of our students, we would like them to integrate the philosophies from all three programs,” Chandra said. “It is a great representation of our country as a whole, and is a reflection of our diverse national identity.”

All three organizations have served a tremendous role in the success of its respective members. DVC students who have been involved in Umoja, Puente or MESA have experienced firsthand how valuable these groups really are.

“Umoja changed me from a juvenile delinquent to a straight A student,” Umoja member Amare Bailey said. Fellow Umoja member Tiffany Custer added, “Umoja is like a second family to me.”

Javier Sandoval is a MESA coordinator and a member of Puente. 

“Puente has helped me so much with reading and writing composition,” Sandoval said. “When I first came to DVC, I had never read a book from front to back. Puente and MESA have helped me develop leadership skills and become a master student.”

Members of all three programs are excited to work together, help each other and utilize the resources in the new shared space and welcome everyone to stop by and check it out.