Umoja, meaning unity in Kiswahili, is a supportive community of educators and learners who are dedicated to the academic success and personal growth of African American and other students.
What is Umoja?
Umoja, meaning unity in Kiswahili, is a supportive community of educators and learners who are dedicated to the academic success and personal growth of African American and other students. Since 2013, we've been part of a statewide Umoja community.
Our mission is to nurture the whole student—mind, body, and spirit—through love and active participation in knowledge-building. We celebrate African and African American culture, fostering pride and understanding of these rich traditions.
Within our community, every student is encouraged to contribute their unique voice and story. As a DVC student in the Umoja Community, you will study with instructors trained in and committed to Umoja principles. Our courses, taught by instructors who uphold Umoja principles, focus on counseling, Black identity, and community-linked options in a variety of areas.
Strong bonds with mentors, counselors, instructors, and fellow students are an integral part of the Umoja experience. Come join us.
Eligibility Requirements
Umoja is open to all students committed to its mission. Umoja core classes are in-person and have required in-person field trips and on-campus activities. Dates and times will be announced in advance.
Other Umojafied courses will be offered in-person, online, and in hybrid formats.
Required Classes for Fall 2025
The two classes below are required for students who wish to be in the Umoja Learning Community cohort. Both classes are held on the Pleasant Hill campus.
COUNS-120: Student Success
- Section 6027
- 3 units
- MW 11:10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Students must also enroll in ETHN-101-6295, as well as participate in other on-campus program activities
ETHN-101: Introduction to Ethnic Studies
- Section 6295
- 3 units
- MW 12:45 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.
- Students must also enroll in COUNS-120-6027, as well as participate in other on-campus program activities.
Optional Classes for Fall 2025
The classes below are open to current or former Umoja students and Friends of Umoja. (A Friend of Umoja is someone who wishes to be connected to Umoja but isn’t able to take the two mandatory classes above.) All face-to-face and hybrid classes are held on the Pleasant Hill campus.
ENGL-C1000E (ENGL 122L): Academic Reading and Writing (with Support)
- Hybrid
- Section 6020
- 5 units
- T 9:35 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
- Open to all current and former Umoja students and Friends of Umoja (FOUs)
ENGL-C1000 (ENGL 122): Academic Reading and Writing
- Hybrid
- Section 6025
- 3 units
- T 9:35 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.
- Open to all current and former Umoja students and Friends of Umoja (FOUs)
ENGL-123: Critical Thinking: Writing About Literature
- Hybrid
- Section 6023
- 3 units
- T 11:10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Open to all current and former Umoja students and Friends of Umoja (FOUs)
COMM-C1000 : Introduction to Public Speaking
- In-Person
- Section 6189
- 3 units
- TTh 11:00 a.m. - 12:35 p.m.
- Open to all current and former Umoja students and Friends of Umoja (FOUs)
POLSC-C1000 (POLSC 121) American Government & Politics
- Hybrid
- Section 6556
- 3 units
- Th 12:45 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.
- Open to all current and former Umoja students and Friends of Umoja (FOUs)
CHEM-108: Introductory Chemistry
- In-Person
- Section 6143
- 4 units
- TTh 9:35 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.; T 11:10 a.m. - 2:20 p.m.
- Open to all current and former Umoja students and Friends of Umoja (FOUs)
HIST-127: African American Perspective History of the US to 1865
- Hybrid
- Section 6103
- 3 units
- T 12:45 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.
- Open to all current and former Umoja students and also Friends of Umoja (FOUs)
PSYCH-C1000 Introduction to Psychology (ONLINE)
- Online/Asynchronous
- Section 6308
- 3 units
- Open to all current and former Umoja students and Friends of Umoja (FOUs)
SOCSC-101: Introduction to Social Justice (ONLINE)
- Online/Asynchronous
- Section 6025
- 3 units
- Open to all current and former Umoja students and Friends of Umoja (FOUs)
HUMAN-115: Humanities: Multicultural American Experience (ONLINE)
- Online/Asynchronous
- Section 6058
- 3 units
- Open to all current and former Umoja students and Friends of Umoja (FOUs)
ECON-220 Principles of Macroeconomics
- In-Person
- Section 6056
- 3 units
- TTh 9:35 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- Open to all current and former Umoja students and Friends of Umoja (FOUs)
Interested in joining the cohort or becoming a Friend of Umoja?
As a student who is a member of Umoja, it has been a joy to form long-lasting connections with not only my peers, but also staff and faculty.
Mprah Asare DVC student and member of the Umoja Community