United Men of Color (UMOC)

United Men of Color (UMOC)

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      The United Men of Color (UMOC) program is designed to provide an inclusive and supportive space where men of color, in particular, can receive academic support and mentoring. As a UMOC member, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in sociocultural dialogue to enhance your understanding of self and your relationship to different communities. At UMOC, our scholars participate in a variety of activities that include but are not limited to monthly workshops, community service projects and program initiatives designed to build character and a sense of community amongst participants. UMOC is part of the larger CUNY Black Male Initiative umbrella.

      Our Goals

      UMOC provides institutional leadership to Black and Latino youth and men to help overcome the challenges of college life.

      • Provide underrepresented students with skill-based development, support and opportunities to enhance their Guttman experience.
      • Bolster levels of campus engagement for male students of color.
      • Contribute to the improvement of enrollment, retention and graduation rates of male students of color.
      • Develop strong mentoring relationships between faculty and staff volunteers and male students of color.
      • Foster authentic fellowship by creating a sense of community amongst UMOC Scholars.

      Amadou Diallo Foundation Scholarship

      Guttman is one of two CUNY colleges to offer this scholarship, which covers full tuition and fees.

      This scholarship is named in honor of Amadou Diallo, who came to the United States in 1996. Amadou immigrated to New York City in 1996, hoping to pursue a college degree in Information Technology. His ambition and dreams ended when he was shot multiple times by four New York City police officers on February 4, 1999. He was innocent, unarmed and seeking shelter and safety in the vestibule of his apartment building when he was murdered. Since his death, his mother, and the trustees of the Amadou Diallo Foundation (ADF) have dedicated themselves to promoting racial healing and positive community interaction with law enforcement, as well as supporting scholarships to help students complete their college degrees.

      In honor of Amadou’s passion for IT, the ADF has a special interest in supporting Guttman students who are Information Technology majors and will also consider students who are pursuing other majors.  For Spring 2023, the ADF hopes to award the scholarship to at least one continuing student who is an Information Technology major and one other Guttman student. First-year students who have not yet declared they’re major are encouraged to apply.

      The ADF will consider applications from all current and incoming Guttman students.  Students of all genders, races, religions, and immigration statuses are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to students who are active in Guttman’s United Men of Color Group (UMOC). Preference will also be given, but not limited to, students who are not eligible to apply for federal and/or New York State financial aid and to students of African or African American descent and/or recent immigrants from Africa.

      If you receive the scholarship, you are expected to:

      • Carry a minimum of 12 credits.
      • Make satisfactory academic progress and/or have a GPA of at least 2.5.
      • Participate in ADF’s mentoring and other programs and demonstrate engagement in college extracurricular activities or volunteer with ADF or other external community groups.
      • Have once-a-month check-in with ADF Board members during the funding period and write a final report describing how the scholarship and participation with ADF helped you achieve greater academic success.
      • Provide information about academic work to date and financial eligibility for TAP, Pell, and other scholarships.
      Ryan Gordon

      Ryan Gordon

      2023 ADF Scholarship Recipient
      Information Technology major

      Ryan Gordon

      2023 ADF Scholarship Recipient
      Information Technology major