Creating safer campuses takes more than preparation, it takes partnership.

That idea was at the center of the 2026 Utah Campus Safety Summit, hosted by the University of Utah Department of Public Safety. The event brought together campus safety professionals, higher education leaders, and public safety partners from across the state for a day focused on collaboration, shared learning, and strengthening prevention efforts.

Attendees represented institutions and agencies from across Utah, reflecting a growing, statewide commitment to working together on complex safety challenges. While each campus faces unique needs, the conversations throughout the day reinforced a common priority: building systems and relationships that help keep communities safe before, during, and after critical incidents.

A defining moment of the summit came during the keynote address from Kristina Froling, a survivor of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting. Her remarks grounded the day’s discussions in lived experience, reminding attendees that behind every policy, protocol, and response plan are real people whose lives are impacted.

Rather than focusing only on response, her message emphasized the importance of early intervention. She highlighted how warning signs are often present, and how communication, reporting, and accessible support systems can play a critical role in preventing violence.

That perspective carried through the rest of the summit.

Breakout sessions and group discussions explored topics such as threat assessment, coordinated emergency response, and supporting individuals and communities in the aftermath of traumatic events. Just as important as the formal sessions were the conversations happening between them—professionals exchanging ideas, comparing approaches, and building relationships that extend beyond a single day.

Events like the Campus Safety Summit reflect an ongoing shift in how campus safety is approached; not as a single department’s responsibility, but as a shared effort across institutions and communities.

By bringing partners together, the University of Utah Department of Public Safety continues to support a stronger, more connected network focused on prevention, preparedness, and care.

Because when it comes to safety, collaboration isn’t optional, it’s essential.