Honoring tradition: LSFA ERG hosts sugar skull decorating for Día de los Muertos

The Latinx Staff and Faculty Association (LSFA) Employee Resource Group invited employees to celebrate the art and meaning of calaveras — a hallmark of Día de los Muertos — through hands-on sugar skull decorating, cultural learning and community building. The event honored the rich tradition of remembering loved ones with joy rather than sorrow, celebrating life, heritage and the resilience of memory.

This gathering reflected the UC Davis Principles of Community, affirming dignity, respect for difference and a welcoming environment where cultures are learned, shared and celebrated. Attendees decorated sugar skulls, enjoyed music and refreshments, and connected through storytelling and reflection.

“Día de los Muertos is a celebration of memory, love and legacy. By coming together to decorate sugar skulls, we’re not only honoring those who came before us, but also building community in the present. It means so much to see colleagues from all backgrounds share in this tradition with respect, joy and heart,” said Daniel Marenco, chair of the LSFA Employee Resource Group.

By creating spaces for shared understanding and celebration, LSFA continues to build a stronger, more inclusive community across UC Davis Health. Events like this showcase the power of employee resource groups in uplifting cultural traditions, fostering a sense of belonging and strengthening relationships within the organization.

Learn more about all UC Davis Health employee resource groups. These groups are open to anyone, regardless of background, who wishes to support, participate in or learn about the diverse cultures and communities at UC Davis Health. Membership and participation in employee resource group activities are not dependent on race, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation or any protected category under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.