Learning together ‘as one’

By Briana Richert '20 on March 8, 2019

The African Diaspora Club at Towson University helps students transition into a new environment while aiding them in social and academic development.

Founded by TU graduate Naana Dei, the ADC’s peer mentoring program, “Kama Moja,” was developed to ease the freshman transition process from high school to college life. Kama Moja, meaning “as one” in Swahili, acts as a safe space and source for new students to learn and feel comfortable in an unfamiliar environment.

This year, 100 students out of the ADC’s 250 members have been involved in the Kama Moja program, as both mentors and mentees. Mentors, mostly upperclassmen, are chosen through an application process and deliberation by the Kama Moja committee. After the mentors are selected, the ADC holds a “get to know you” week, hosting events such as “speed dating” and “skate night” for the mentors and mentees to interact and find a match that they connect with.

Through this program, both the mentees and mentors develop a better understanding of self, reach academic and social advancement, and gain a deeper connection to college life and community. Additionally, they build trusted connections for advice and assist each other through the learning process of the college experience.

“This is also a learning process for mentors as well, because they are able to see what their strengths and weaknesses are when it comes to helping others, and they too can learn from their mentees,” says Briyanna Tiafoe, president of the ADC.

The Kama Moja program has received praise from students and even the parents of those involved in the program. The ADC has earned many expressions of gratitude for creating a “home away from home” and for elevating the confidence of the students involved.

“Kama Moja and ADC are not only for the African community on Towson’s campus,” says Tiafoe. “Both of these programs and organizations are for anyone on the Towson campus that wants to be part of something greater than themselves. Both have impacted many people on campus and off campus in myriad ways and we continue to keep doing so.”

Learn more about events and how to get involved from TU ADC's website.

This story is part of a series of stories marking TU's Week of Black Excellence.

It is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: Diverse and Inclusive Campus.