Umoja Program

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 Spring 2025

The two classes below are required for students who wish to be in the Umoja Learning Community cohort:

Carer 110: Career and Life Planning

• Section 6330
• 3 units
• Mon & Wed; 9:35am - 11:00am
• Pleasant Hill Campus
• Students must also enroll in COMM-120-1640, as well as participate in other on-campus program activities.

COMM 120: Public Speaking

• Section 1640
• 3 units
• Mon & Wed; 12:45-2:10 PM
• Pleasant Hill Campus
• Students must also enroll in COUNS-120-6330, as well as participate in other on-campus program activities.

Optional Classes for Spring 2025

The classes below are open to any current or former Umoja students, as well as any 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.)

ENGL 122L: First-Year College Writing and Reading with Additional Support (hybrid)

• Section 6093
• 5 units
• Tues 9:35 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
• Pleasant Hill Campus
• Open to all current and former Umoja students and also Friends of Umoja (FOUs)

ENGL 123: Critical Thinking: Writing About Literature (hybrid)

• Section 6020
• 3 units
• Tues 12:45 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.
• Pleasant Hill Campus
• Open to all current and former Umoja students and also Friends of Umoja (FOUs)

HUMAN 115: Humanities: The Multicultural American Experience  (asynchronous)

• Section 6976
• 3 units

Interested in joining the cohort or becoming a Friend of Umoja?