Note: This program is currently on hiatus.

Mfumo (Swahili for "connectedness") is a one-year community learning and peer support program whose purpose is to increase the retention, matriculation, and transfer rate of students enrolled at Foothill College. The Mfumo curriculum has an emphasis on African American literature, writers, and success strategies in higher education.

Incorporated into the program are accelerated English writing instruction, college success instruction, academic counseling, and mentoring from administrators, faculty and staff at Foothill College.

Mfumo has four components that work together to prepare students to receive an AA degree, complete a career program, or transfer to a four-year college or university.


Mfumo classes provide a supportive and stimulating environment for students. Students take three consecutive writing classes, English 100, English 110 and English 1A. These classes have an emphasis on developing writing skills through an exploration of the African American experience taken predominantly from African American authors. The College Success courses- Cnsl 1, Cnsl 60, and Cnsl 85H focus on success strategies for college.

Academic counseling makes it possible for students to explore options about their future goals. Students work closely with the Mfumo counselor to develop their schedules, explore career options and identify life goals. Students are required to have at least two meetings per quarter with the Mfumo counselor.


Students are matched with administrative and faculty mentors from within the Foothill campus community. Mentors share with the students their personal experiences of what helped them to succeed in the educational system; how they succeed as professionals while maintaining their cultural identity; what helps them to now balance family, career and community related activities. Mentors also serve as resources for student assignments and projects.


The Mfumo program encourages students to participate in the Pass the Torch program and other tutorial services available at the Foothill campus.


Our students visit three colleges throughout the year. Previous campus tours have included UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, San Jose Sate University, San Francisco State University, University of San Francisco and Santa Clara University.

For more information about the Mfumo Program Contact the Mfumo Counselor.

Jerry Cellilo
(650)-949-7224
cellilojerry@foothill.edu

Natalia Menendez, English Instructor
(650) 949-7438
menendeznatalia@foothill.edu

To apply for the Mfumo program download the Mfumo Application. Submit the application to Jerry Cellilo at the Counseling Office in Room 8301; or fax it to (650) 949-6125 or email cellilojerry@foothill.edu.

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