Public safety officials, students, staff, faculty and law enforcement leaders gathered at the University of Utah for the 2026 Utah Campus Safety Summit, an annual event focused on preparing campuses for emergencies and preventing violence.

Hosted March 19 by the U’s Department of Public Safety, the sold-out event reflects the growing concern about campus safety nationwide.

“I was inspired to establish the Utah Campus Safety Summit to serve as a forum for university and school safety teams throughout the state to train together with all their partners,” said Keith Squires, University of Utah chief safety officer.

Now in its fourth year, this year’s summit centered on a theme of preventing and preparing for active threats, with organizers emphasizing the need for coordinated planning and communication and brought together participants from across Utah and the western United States to discuss evolving threats and best practices in campus security.

“We’ve brought many outstanding presenters to the summit since we began,” said Squires. “Their expertise and personal insights have helped all of us working together to advance safety for Utah’s students, faculty and staff.”

Speakers throughout the day highlighted lessons learned from past tragedies and stressed the importance of preparedness. Among them was Kristina Froling, a survivor of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting that left 32 people dead, who shared her experience and urged campuses to improve awareness and response strategies. She travels across the country to advocate for stronger emergency planning and education.

The summit also featured presentations from law enforcement professionals, safety experts and higher education leaders, covering topics such as emergency protocols, communication strategies and violence prevention.

Kim Barnett, deputy chief safety officer for support services and organizer of the safety summit, said the event is designed to evolve each year to address current risks and concerns. This year’s emphasis on active threats reflects broader national attention on campus shootings and public safety preparedness.

“This year’s presentations were designed to offer tangible, practical actions that any of us can use to help keep ourselves and our colleagues safe,” she said.

Discussions also highlighted the importance of collaboration between campus police, local agencies and students, further confirming that partnerships are key to ensuring quick, coordinated responses during emergencies.

Student perspectives have increasingly shaped those conversations as well with concerns about how quickly and clearly information is communicated during incidents.

At the summit, speakers underscored that communication can be just as critical as response time. Delays or unclear messaging can heighten fear and confusion, even when situations are under control.

The event also highlighted preventative approaches, including training programs, threat assessment teams and community awareness efforts aimed at identifying risks before they escalate.

Such measures are essential as universities navigate a complex safety landscape that includes not only physical threats but also misinformation and heightened anxiety during emergencies.

“Active aggressor events are one of those incidents we hear about all too often in the news,” said Squires. “We must have a plan of action.”

The Utah Campus Safety Summit is part of a broader effort by the University of Utah to strengthen its safety infrastructure and foster a culture of preparedness across campus.

By bringing together experts, law enforcement and community members, the Department of Public Safety hopes the summit will continue to serve as a platform for sharing knowledge and improving practices statewide.

As keynote speaker, Froling said, “As things have evolved, so has our understanding of what to do. Preparation can save lives.”