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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.
Umoja Learning Community requirements
The Fall 2023 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. Fall 2023 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 Fall 2023 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 "Friend of Umoja", please fill out the interest form with your contact information to receive email updates and more information.
Fall 2023 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 |
|
COUNS 120 (6360) |
3 units |
MW, 11:10 am - 12:35 pm HSF 180 |
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. |
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 Fall 2023 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 (6497) V. Greene |
4 units |
MW, 9:35 am - 11:00 am (Lecture) |
Note: Class meets on campus as scheduled. |
| ECE 124 (9193) M. Ebesugawa |
3 units | Note: Online course. All instruction will be online. | |
| ENGL 122 (6364) A. Kingsley |
3 units |
T, 9:35 am - 11:00 am LA 115 |
Note: Partially online course with required meetings Tuesdays 9:35-11:00AM with all other instruction provided online. |
| ENGL 122L (6270) H. Goen-Salter |
5 units | T, 9:35 am - 12:05 pm LC 110 | Note: Partially online course with required meetings on Tuesdays 9:35 AM-12:05 PM with all other instruction provided online. |
| ENGL 123 (6250) L. Ang |
3 units |
T 12:45 pm - 2:10 pm LA 220 |
Note: Partially online course with required meetings Tuesdays, 12:45-2:10 PM with all other instruction provided online |
| ENGL 126 (6101) E. Rogers |
3 units | Note: 100% online course - no required online meetings. | |
| HUMAN 115 (6058) C. Sciortino |
3 units | Note: 100% online course - no required online meetings. | |
| MATH 121 (6654) L. Wylie |
3 units | TTh, 12:45 pm - 2:10 pm MA 103 | Note: Class meets on campus as scheduled. |
| MATH 142 (6369) H. Lantzy |
4 units | TTh, 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm LA 207 |
Note: Class meets on campus as scheduled. Students must enroll in both MATH-142-6369 and MATH-042-6269 in order to be eligible for this section. |
| HIST 127 (5193) M. Powell |
3 unit | T, 2:30 pm - 3:55 pm LA 220 |
Note: Partially online course with required meetings on-campus. |
| ETH 101 (2221) D. Cornejo-Warner |
3 units | W, 11:10 am - 12: 35 pm LA 216 |
Note: Partially online course with required in-person meetings. |
Contact Umoja
| Email: | DVCUmoja@dvc.edu |
| Follow us on Instagram: | @DVCUmoja and @DVCPuma |
Office Hours
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2023 | 8:30 am - 5:30 pm | 8:30 am - 5:30 pm | 8:30 am - 5:30 pm | 8:30 am - 5:30 pm | 9 am - 1 pm |