A Virtual Mini-Institute of the University of West Florida
Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
Time: 8:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. Central Time
Location: Virtual Zoom
Hosted by the University of West Florida
Register: Registration link forthcoming
Event Overview
As part of Founders Week, the University of West Florida will host a half-day virtual mini-institute titled Antisemitism, Free Expression, and the Challenge of Dialogue. This program brings together national experts in antisemitism and higher education alongside University of West Florida faculty leaders to explore how individuals, educators, and communities can navigate difficult conversations with intellectual rigor, academic freedom, and civil discourse. Through a keynote presentation, breakout discussions, and a closing panel conversation, participants will gain foundational knowledge about contemporary antisemitism and develop practical strategies for engaging in complex and often contested topics in educational, professional, and community settings.
The mini-institute is designed to strengthen dialogue capacity not only across campus communities but also within the broader public sphere, providing participants with tools to foster thoughtful, informed, and respectful engagement across differences. Whether participating as an educator, student, professional, or community member, attendees will leave better equipped to approach challenging conversations with clarity and confidence.
Why This Conversation Matters
Recent national surveys reveal significant gaps in Holocaust knowledge among younger generations and growing exposure to antisemitic content in digital spaces. Regional reporting has also documented rising antisemitic incidents across the southern United States. These trends are not limited to campuses—they reflect broader societal challenges that impact communities, workplaces, and public discourse.
In response, the University of West Florida is bringing together scholars and practitioners to help participants better understand the contemporary landscape and strengthen their ability to engage complex issues responsibly. This mini-institute reflects UWF's broader commitment to fostering informed dialogue, academic freedom, and respectful civic engagement across both educational and community contexts.
National Leadership and Institutional Collaboration
This program builds on the University of West Florida's participation in the Brandeis University President's Initiative on Antisemitism, a highly competitive national initiative supported by the Academic Engagement Network (AEN). UWF applied prior to encouragement from the Florida Board of Governors Chancellor and was ultimately the only Florida institution selected to participate.
The Mini-Institute represents UWF's effort to translate that national-level experience into meaningful regional engagement through faculty development, cross-campus collaboration, and community-facing programming. Funding for this program is provided in part through a microgrant from the Academic Engagement Network (AEN).
Program Agenda
8:15 – 8:25 a.m.
Participant Arrival and Virtual Check-In
8:25 – 8:30 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Aurora Osborn, University of West Florida
8:30 – 9:25 a.m.
Keynote Presentation
Dr. Rachel Fish
9:25 – 9:30 a.m.
Break
9:30 – 10:20 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Faculty Track: Teaching and Navigating Contested Topics in the Classroom
Dr. Rachel Fish
Administrator and Staff Track: Institutional Contexts, Campus Climate, and Leadership Challenges
Dr. Nancy Koppelman
Student and Community Track: Civic Engagement, Public Discourse, and Community Response
Ahmed F. Alkhatib
10:20 – 10:25 a.m.
Break
10:25 – 11:25 a.m.
Panel Discussion and Moderated Conversation
Featuring all speakers
11:25 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Closing Reflections and Q&A
Featured Speakers
Dr. Rachel Fish
Dr. Rachel Fish is a national expert on antisemitism in higher education and a leading voice on the intersection of Jewish identity, anti-Zionism, and campus climate. Her work focuses on helping educators, administrators, and institutions better understand contemporary antisemitism and respond to difficult issues with intellectual clarity, academic freedom, and informed dialogue.
Dr. Nancy Koppelman
Dr. Nancy Koppelman is a sociologist and educator whose work explores difficult knowledge, public controversy, and the challenges of teaching and leading through complex social issues. She brings extensive experience helping faculty, staff, and institutions navigate contested topics with rigor, nuance, and a strong commitment to academic inquiry.
Ahmed F. Alkhatib
Ahmed F. Alkhatib is a public scholar and policy voice whose work engages questions of civic responsibility, public discourse, and the human dimensions of conflict in the Middle East. Drawing on lived experience and policy expertise, he brings an important perspective on dialogue, democratic engagement, and the role of students and communities in responding thoughtfully to polarization and extremism.
Faculty Leadership
Aurora Osborn, University of West Florida
Dr. Nicholas Buker, University of West Florida
Dr. Kelly Carr, University of West Florida
Who Should Attend
This program is designed for a broad audience seeking to strengthen their ability to engage thoughtfully across differences.
University faculty and instructors will find value in advancing their teaching, service, and professional development through deeper understanding of contemporary antisemitism and strategies for navigating contested topics in the classroom. Academic administrators and campus staff will gain practical tools to support professional development, campus climate, and institutional response.
Students and community members are encouraged to attend to build skills in responsible civic engagement, informed dialogue, and constructive discourse in an increasingly complex social landscape. Participants from institutions across Florida and the broader region, as well as members of the general public, are welcome.
Registration
Participation is free, but registration is required. Please register at the link below. After registering, participants will receive a Zoom access link and additional program details.
Registration for the Virtual Mini-Institute is forthcoming
Contact Information
For questions about the Mini-Institute, please contact:
Aurora Osborn
University of West Florida