Happy (all the many!) Holidays from the Office of DEI

The end of the year is full of important religious holidays celebrated by communities across the world and across our NOVA community. As you celebrate your special holiday this season, consider taking a moment to learn about someone else’s special holiday, too. Invite your colleagues and students to share about how their families celebrate this season. Every person is unique, and people who celebrate the same holiday may do so very differently. Let’s remind ourselves not to make assumptions about others or their holiday practices. This season is a great opportunity to celebrate one another and practice cultural humility as we engage with our strongly diverse NOVA family.

Here is a working list of holidays that folks celebrate this season. Pick one that interests you and rev up your search engine! How many new holiday greetings can you learn?

Happy (all the many!) Holidays from the Office of DEI.

• December 5: Ashura (Muslim)
• December 6: The Feast of St. Nicholas (Christian)
• December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Roman Catholic)
• December 12: Milad Un-Nabi (Muslim)
• December 16 to December 24: Las Posadas (Latin American/Hispanic)
• December 18 to December 26: Hanukkah (Jewish)
• December 21: Winter Solstice/Yule (Pagan/Wiccan)
• December 21: Dongzi Festival (Chinese Winter Solstice)
• December 21-24: Pancha Ganapati (Hindu)
• December 25: Christmas (Christian)
• December 26- January 1: Kwanzaa (African American)
• …and more!

Submitted by:
Sherrene DeLong, DEI Events Coordinator, SDeLong@nvcc.edu