OEI Newsletter - December 2025 : Elaine Marieb College of Nursing : UMass Amherst

By Jess Dillard-Wright
Associate Dean of Equity & Inclusion
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing

Embracing Community Care This Holiday Season

Though December is not formally designated as a heritage month, it holds considerable cultural significance for many. As the nights lengthen before the winter solstice, holidays celebrating light, community, faith, and restoration include Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Yule, and the New Year.

Since 1988, World AIDS Day has been observed on December 1 to honor those lost to the pandemic and to show solidarity against AIDS stigma. More than 40 million people worldwide live with HIV, while over 44 million have died from AIDS and HIV-related complications over the past 40 years, making it one of the most devastating pandemics in history. Learn more about the global impact of HIV and AIDS.

December 10 marks United Nations Human Rights Day. First celebrated in 1950, this day commemorates the adoption of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year’s theme, “Our Everyday Essentials,” highlights human rights as positive, essential, and attainable.

Resources

While joyful for many, the holiday season can be challenging for others. There are resources available to support you and your loved ones this season, both on and off campus:

Students can seek emotional and psychological support through the UMass Center for Counseling and Psychological Health.
Staff and faculty have access to the Employee Counseling and Consultation Office.
All members of the UMass community may access food resources through the food security partnership with Amherst Survival Center.

Upcoming Events

Be sure to check out the UMass Office of Equity and Inclusion events page for offerings honoring these dates and many others! The UMass Events Calendar also has much to offer.

Connect with EMCON OEI

Please reach out if I can assist support, brainstorm, or connect. jdillardwrig [at] umass [dot] edu (Email me) or feel free to drop by my office in Skinner Hall, rm. 130. You can also share your feedback through this form. And don’t forget— Community + Connection + Conversation meets every Monday from noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom. All are welcome— simply email me for the Zoom link.