Men/Women/People of Color, Honor, and Ambition (MOCHA/WOCHA/POCHA)
The Men of Color, Honor, and Ambition, Women of Color, Honor, and Ambition, and People of Color, Honor, and Ambition (MOCHA/WOCHA/POCHA) programs at the University of Virginia and nearby school districts are designed to develop successful leaders of tomorrow, and today. These one-year-long programs are open to all UVA undergraduate students as well as middle and high schoolers in the region regardless of race or ethnicity. MOCHA/WOCHA/POCHA will provide opportunities for academic, personal, and professional growth, and leadership development. Participants engage in development sessions and receive mentoring from members of the broader community. The UVA undergraduates receive mentoring and provide mentoring to high school students who will in turn mentor middle schoolers.
Interested in becoming a Virtual Mentor for MOCHA/WOCHA/POCHA? Please fill out this form.
The five pillars of MOCHA/WOCHA/POCHA are:
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Ambition
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Achievement
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Integrity
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Service
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Health/Wellness
- For Middle/High School Students
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Students in grades 7-12 in the Jefferson District and Central VA who are interested in participating can contact Dr. Joshua Epps, MOCHA/WOCHA Program Manager, at [email protected], with questions. The 2024 - 2025 application for students in grades 7-12 can be accessed and filled out here.
Benefits of Participation for High School/Middle School Students:
- Stipends for providing mentoring (high school).
- Opportunities to earn a Chromebook or professional attire, based on meeting participation expectations.
- Access to leadership development workshops.
- Opportunities to forge relationships while making a positive impact on the greater Charlottesville Community through service.
- Outings/trip costs covered by program.
- For Undergraduate Students
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UVA students can contact Dr. Joshua Epps, MOCHA/WOCHA/POCHA Program Manager, at ([email protected]) with questions about applying to the program for the 2024 - 2025 academic year. The 2024 - 2025 application for undergraduate students can be accessed and filled out here. The program is open to all UVA undergraduate students.
Benefits of Participation for Undergraduate Students:
- Stipends and other incentives for program completion and providing mentoring.
- Opportunities to earn professional attire, based on meeting participation expectations.
- Access to executive leadership development workshops and mentor trainings.
- Opportunities to forge relationships while making a positive impact on the greater Charlottesville Community through service.
- Outings/trip costs covered by program.
In the News
"Men and Women of Color, Honor, and Ambition Program Supports the Leaders of Tomorrow, Today", Amplify, Spring 2022.
"Young Scholars in Charlottesville Recognized by Epsilon Psi Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity", NBC29 News, August 16, 2021.
"KCPS Program of Honor, Ambition Lends Hand to Teens," Kansas City's KSHB 41 News, February 22, 2019.
"University Leaders Need to Build Meaningful Pillars to Support Diversity", The Huffington Post, December 6, 2017.
"Using a Sense-of-Belonging Approach to Support Young Men at Rochester Institute of Technology", Insight into Diversity, April 18, 2016.