In the last Holidays and Observances episode of the academic year, Brenda is going to take you from May 1st through the summer months!

1. Jewish-American heritage month spans the entire month of May, with Lag Ba'Omer from May 15-16th, which is a Jewish religious holiday celebrated on the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, which occurs on the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar; a period in the Jewish calendar between Passover and Shavuot.
2. Memorial Day is on May 26th, a commemoration honoring and remembering the men and women who died serving the US military.
3. June is Pride Month, a celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, commemorating and celebrating the contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans culture and the queer community.
4. Shavout is at the beginning of June (1st-3rd), which is a Jewish holiday to commemorate the giving of the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai.
5. Eid al Adha is June 6-7th, the Festival of Sacrifice commemorating the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to God's command.
6. Juneteenth is on June 19th, celebrating the emancipation of enslaved Africans in the United States.
7. Al-Hijrah is June 26-27th marking the Islamic lunar new year, named after the Hijra, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622CE.
8. Independence Day is July 4th, where the United States celebrates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, establishing the United States' independence from Great Britain.
9. Lastly, Tisha B'Av is from August 2-3; a somber commemoration of several tradegies in Jewish history, including the destruction of two holy Temples in Jerusalem.

Host: Dr. Rick Daniels, Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
Coordinator: Brenda Cruz, Coordinator of Institutional Equity an Inclusion
Producer: Erick Rohn, Professor of Design

In this episode, Dr. Rick Daniels sits down with trusted colleagues and friends with NO AGENDA. This time around, Dr. Daniels is joined by Tina Fahkrid-Dean, Distinguished Professor of English and Co-coorinator of Creative Writing and Terrance Stevenson, Coordinator for Oakton's Emory Williams Academy for Black Men.

Topics include the commonalities of their circuitous educational journey, important teachers and role models, some of the struggles, wake-up calls and epiphanies they experienced along the way, and how they now help their students rise to expectations while breaking down barriers.

This episode is a powerful, candid, and critical conversation! We hope you enjoy 🎧

Host: Dr. Rick Daniels, Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
Guests: Tina Fahkrid-Dean, Distinguished Professor of English and Co-coorinator of Creative Writing
Terrance Stevenson, Coordinator for Oakton's Emory Williams Academy for Black Men
Coordinator: Brenda Cruz, Coordinator of Institutional Equity an Inclusion
Producer: Erick Rohn, Professor of Design

In this episode of Critical Conversations, we reflect on Learning Day 2024, from October of last year. As we approach the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, it's a great time to look back at our notes, re-center some of the important themes, and give space to have conversations about how employees, faculty, and staff can continue to act on what Learning Day offered, while also planning for the future.

Host: Dr. Rick Daniels, Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
Guests: Leah Kintner, Senior Workforce and Community Education Program Developer and Learning Day Programming Chair
Ella Whitehead, Assistant Director of Enrollment for Equity Outreach and Learning Day Committee Co-chair
Dr. Ruben Howard, Dean of Business and Career Technologies and Learning Day Committee Co-chair
Coordinator: Brenda Cruz, Coordinator of Institutional Equity an Inclusion
Producer: Erick Rohn, Professor of Design

In this brief episode, we want to share some of the holidays and observances in April, including Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National Arab-American Hertiage Month, National Autism Acceptance Month, and Earth Month. Religious Observances in April include Passover, Holy Week leading up to the end of Lent and Easter Sunday, and Orthodox Easter; Pascha or Ressurrection Sunday.

Host: Dr. Rick Daniels, Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
Coordinator: Brenda Cruz, Coordinator of Institutional Equity an Inclusion
Producer: Erick Rohn, Professor of Design

In this episode, we speak with some folks from the Adult and Continuing Education department at Oakton. We highlight the experiences, challenges, and opportunities for Continuing Education and Non-Credit students at Oakton College.

Host: Dr. Rick Daniels, Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
Guests: Delia Rodriguez, Dean of Adult and Continuing Education
Itri Papanikolla, Adult Education Transitions Coordinator
Elena Smoukova, Senior Manager of Adult Education
Coordinator: Brenda Cruz, Coordinator of Institutional Equity an Inclusion
Producer: Erick Rohn, Professor of Design

In this episode of Critical Conversations, we dive into the Department of Education’s latest Dear Colleague Letter and its impact on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. With growing resistance to DEI efforts in education, we unpack the letter’s key statements, analyze the broader political and social context, and explore strategies for staying resilient in this work. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on what this means for institutions, educators, and DEI practitioners.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation!

Host: Dr. Rick Daniels, Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
Coordinator: Brenda Cruz, Coordinator of Institutional Equity an Inclusion
Producer: Erick Rohn, Professor of Design

In this brief episode, we want to share some of the holidays and observances in March, including celebrating women's identities in Women's HERstory Month. The Jewish celebration of survival, Purim, is also this month, as well as the Hindu festival starting the month of Phalguna and celebrating spring and rejuvenation. Nowruz, meaning "New Day," is also aligned with the vernal equinox (start of spring) and is celebrated with family, food, and reflection. Finally, at the end of March comes the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, "the Festival of Breaking the Fast," which is observed by attending communal prayers and sermons, and giving zakat al-fitr.

Links to more information on each can be found in your podcast player - check your app for chapter markers, custom chapter art, and links.

Host: Dr. Rick Daniels, Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
Coordinator: Brenda Cruz, Coordinator of Institutional Equity an Inclusion
Producer: Erick Rohn, Professor of Design