About Umoja

Umoja (a Kiswahili word meaning unity) is a statewide community of educators and learners committed to the academic success, personal growth and self-actualization of African American and other students. The Umoja Community at Diablo Valley College joined with the statewide community in spring 2013.

The Umoja Community seeks to educate the whole student – body, mind and spirit. Informed by an ethic of love and its vital power, the Umoja Community will deliberately engage students as full participants in the construction of knowledge and critical thought.

African and African American intellectual, cultural, and spiritual gifts inform Umoja Community values and practices. The Umoja Community seeks to nurture knowledge of and pride in these treasures. The learning experience within the Umoja Community will provide each individual the opportunity to add their voice and their story to the collective voices and stories of the African Diaspora.

Students in the Diablo Valley College Umoja Community will study with instructors trained in and committed to Umoja principles. The linked courses provide a structure for our community, with core courses in Counseling, African American focused social science, and community-linked choices for students in English and Mathematics. Strong bonds with mentors, counselors, instructors, and fellow students are an integral part of the Umoja experience.

Read more stories about the Umoja Learning Community

Umoja Learning Community requirements

The Spring 2024 Umoja Learning Community classes for Cohort 12 (C12) are listed below. Additional requirements will be reviewed by the coordinators during the intake process. For more information, please contact the Umoja Coordinators at DVCUmoja@dvc.edu.

Umoja core classes are in person and will have required in-person field trips and on-campus activities. Dates/times will be announced in advance. Spring 2024 Umojafied courses will be offered in-person, online, and in hybrid formats. Some online courses will have synchronous class meetings, which will require students to participate during the required meeting times.

Beginning January 2, 2023, any student can access any campus facility regardless of their vaccination. Students with approved medical or religious exemptions no longer need to test on a weekly basis in order to come to campus. Students registering for Spring 2024 classes are not required to submit proof of vaccination or apply for an exception in order to enroll in in-person classes. For more information, go to https://www.dvc.edu/about/safety/health-advisories/covid-19-safety-faq.html

Note: The Umoja program cohort for Fall 2023 is currently full. If you are interested in being a considered for Spring 2024, please fill out the interest form with your contact information to receive email updates and more information.

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Spring 2024 Learning Community Courses and Orientation

Mandatory Umoja class

(both classes are required to be in the Learning Community)

Course Units Days/Time Class Meeting Notes

Carer 110 (6330)
D. Phenix

3 units

MW,  9:35 am - 11:00am

HSF 291

Note: This section is a required part of the second semester of DVC's Umoja Learning Community. Students must enroll in COUNS-120-6360, as well as participate in other ON CAMPUS program activities.

POLSCI 123 (6112)

A. Ponce

3 units

MW 11:10 - 12:35PM

BWL 213

Note: This section is a required part of the second semester of DVC's Umoja Learning Community. Students must enroll in COUNS-120-6360, as well as participate in other ON CAMPUS program

Mandatory Orientation

Students joining Umoja for Cohort 12 must attend the Orientation (the date, time and log-in information will be provided in advance.)

Optional Spring 2024 Umoja classes

(Students in Umoja may enroll in these classes but are not required to do so; this will be discussed during the counseling intake appointment.)  **SOME CLASSES WILL BE OFFERED ONLINE. SOME COURSES WILL HAVE SYNCHRONOUS CLASS MEETINGS, WHICH WILL REQUIRE STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE DURING THE REQUIRED MEETING TIMES.** Please talk with the Umoja Counselor about the specific classes you plan to take and if you need assistance with technology requirements.

Course Units Days/Time Class Meeting Notes
BIOSC 117 (6132)
C. Rooker
4 units

MW, 9:35 am - 11:00 am (Lecture)
LHS 115

W, 11:10 am - 2:20 pm (Lab)
LHS 202

Note: Class meets on campus as scheduled. 

SOCIO 120 (6034)

G. Ramos

3 units

MW, 11:10 am - 12:35 pm

LA 215

Note: This class is partially online with required in-person meetings at Pleasant Hill campus on Monday and Wednesday from 11:10AM - 12:35PM.

ECE 124 (9252)
M. Ebesugawa

3 units

Note: Online course. All instruction will be online.
ENGL 122 (6318)
K. Agnost
3 units

T, 9:35 am - 11:00 am

LA 112

Note: Partially online course with required meetings Tuesdays 9:35-11:00AM with all other instruction provided online.
ENGL 122L (6093)
H. Goen-Salter
5 units T, 9:35 am - 12:05 pm    LA 214 Note: Partially online course with required meetings on Tuesdays 9:35 AM-12:05 PM with all other instruction provided online.
ENGL 123 (6366)
L. Ang
3 units

T 12:45 pm - 2:10 pm

Room TBD

Note: Partially online course with required meetings Tuesdays, 12:45-2:10 PM with all other instruction provided online.
ENGL 126 (6348)
H. Goen-Salter
3 units   Note: 100% online course - no required online meetings.
HUMAN 115 (6976)
M. Ferrara
3 units   Note: 100% online course - no required online meetings. 
MATH 121 (6015)
P. Leon-Bravo
3 units TTh, 12:45 pm - 2:10 pm  MA 128 Note: Class meets on campus as scheduled. 
MATH 142 (6096)
M. Vincent
4 units MW, 12:45 pm - 2:50 pm
MA 249

Note: Class meets on campus as scheduled. 

ETH 101 (6260)
D. Cornejo-Warner
3 units TTH, 11:10 am - 12: 35 pm
LA 217
Note: This class meets in person and has required in-person meetings at Pleasant Hill campus on Tuesday and Thursday from 11:10AM - 12:35PM.

Contact Umoja 

Email:   DVCUmoja@dvc.edu
Follow us on Instagram:   @DVCUmoja and @DVCPuma 

Office Hours

  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Spring 2024 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 9 am - 3 pm