Umoja ProgramAbout 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 Spring 2023 Umoja Learning Community classes for Cohort 11 (C11) are listed below. Additional requirements will be reviewed by the coordinators during the intake process. For more information, please contact the Umoja Coordinators at DVCUmojaProgram@email.4cd.edu.

Spring 2023 DVC classes will be offered in-person, online, and in hybrid format. Some online courses will have synchronous class meetings, which will require students to participate during the required meeting times. Umoja core classes will have required in-person field drips and on-campus activities. Dates/times will be announced in advance.

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 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

Apply now!

Spring 2023 Learning Community Courses and Orientation

Mandatory Umoja classes 

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

Course Units Days/Time Class Meeting Notes

CARER 110 (6330)
E. Handy

3 units

MW, 9:35 am - 11 am      HSF 291

Note: This section is a required part of the second semester of DVC's Umoja Learning Community. Students must enroll in both CARER-110-6330 and COMM-120-6094, as well as participate in other ON CAMPUS program activities.

COMM 120 (6094)
K. Whitmore

3 units MW, 11:10 am - 12:35pm    H 117

Note: This section is a required part of the second semester of DVC's Umoja Learning Community. Students must enroll in both CARER-110-6330 and COMM-120-6094, as well as participate in other ON CAMPUS program activities.

Mandatory orientation

Students joining Umoja for Cohort 11 must attend the Orientation (the date, time and log-in information will be provided in advance.)

Optional Spring 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 (6132)
C. Rooker
4 units

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

11:10 am - 2:20 pm (Lab)
LHS 115

Note: Class meets on campus as scheduled. 

ECE 124 (9252)
M. Ebesugawa

3 units M, 6 pm - 7 pm

Note: 100% online course with 8 required meetings on Monday at 6-7PM 1/23, 2/6, 2/13, 3/6, 3/20, 4/3, 4/17, and 5/1 (online through Zoom). 
ENGL 122 (6318)
E. Rogers
3 units

 

Note: 100% online course - no required online meetings.
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   Note: 100% online course - no required online meetings. 
ENGL 126 (6348)
H. Goen-Salter
3 units   Note: 100% online course - no required online meetings.
HUMAN 115 (6976)
C. Sciortino
3 units   Note: 100% online course - no required online meetings. 
MATH 121 (6625)
L. Lang
3 units MW, 12:45 pm - 2:10 pm  MA 107 Note: Class meets on campus as scheduled. 
MATH 142 (6374)
S. McCarter
4 units TTh, 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm
LA 209

Note: Class meets on campus as scheduled. Students must enroll in both MATH-142-6374 and MATH-042-6645 in order to be eligible for this section.

MATH 042 (6645)
S. McCarter
1 unit TTh, 2:45 pm - 3:50 pm
LA 209
Note: Class meets on campus as scheduled. Students must enroll in both MATH-142-6374 and MATH-042-6645 in order to be eligible for this section.
SOCIO 120 (6512)
G. Ramos
3 units W, 9:35 am - 11 am
LA 215
Note: Partially online course with required meetings on Wednesdays 9:35 AM-11 AM with all other instruction provided online.

Contact Umoja 

Email:   DVCUmojaProgram@email.4cd.edu
Follow us on Instagram:   @DVCUmoja and @DVCPuma 

Apply now!