Virtual Health & Safety Institute 2026 Highlights Risk, Resilience, and the Evolving Landscape of Education Abroad

On Wednesday, June 17, education abroad professionals gathered for a full day of learning, dialogue, and collaboration at The Forum on Education Abroad’s Institute on Health, Safety, Security, and Risk Management. The virtual program brought together more than 20 presenters across 12 sessions to explore how institutions are navigating an increasingly complex global environment. 

​“This Institute is an essential gathering for our field to come together in a moment of ongoing complexity and change,” said Amelia Dietrich, Forum event lead for the Institute, as well as Senior Director for Research & Publications and Managing Editor, Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad. “Health, safety, and risk management are no longer standalone functions; they are central to how we design programs, support students, and sustain global engagement. By creating opportunities to share expertise, surface emerging challenges, and learn from one another, we are strengthening the collective capacity of our field to respond with resilience.” ​

The virtual portion of this year’s Institute featured an opening plenary panel, three blocks of concurrent sessions, two opportunities for Quick Brief Exercises, and a closing collective recap, all organized around four central themes: program design; equity, diversity, and inclusion; mental health; and regulatory compliance. 

During the Institute’s Opening Remarks & Plenary, Institute committee co-chairs Jordan Viars-Whisinnand, Assistant Director, Global Health & Safety at Duke University, and Margaret Wiedenhoeft, Executive Director, Center for International Programs at Kalamazoo College, welcomed attendees and acknowledged the sustained intensity of the field in recent years.  

“Our work has not slowed down since the COVID era,” said Wiedenhoeft, recognizing the range of pressures facing institutions, including geopolitical conflicts and global health concerns to financial constraints and shifting public perceptions of international education. “We all demonstrate resilience and just showing up in our space.” 
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Key Takeaways from the Virtual Opening Plenary Panel 

The Institute’s virtual Opening Plenary, Risk & Resilience: Where Are We Now?, set the tone for the day, focusing on how evolving U.S. and global developments are impacting institutional approaches to health, safety, and risk management.  

Panelists shared perspectives on how campus leaders are responding to emerging challenges, aligning risk mitigation strategies with broader institutional priorities, and much more. Some timely advice from our plenary panelists included: 

“Continue to foster a culture where our travelers are active participants in their own safety. I don't think we've cracked the code yet on really engaging our students in proactive planning or practicing situational awareness. There's more work to be done in shifting the narrative from in case of emergency to simply when there is a disruption, because there will be. It could be minor, it could be major. We know that international travel is complex, and we need new and creative ways to break that down for our students.” - Amy Conger, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Global Engagement, North Carolina State University
 
“This work is not always easy. I think we all know that. And for those who are newer to the field, I would just really encourage you to get involved in the groups that you can get involved with, whether it be The Forum or, if you're eligible, to be a member of Pulse or OSAC Academia. … I couldn't do my job without the community of professionals around me.” - Jason Hope, Chair of OSAC Academia, and Director of Global Risk & Strategic Operations, University of Kentucky  

“Making sure that you're building confidence in the protocols, the communication channels, and your own experience within your campus community is really important, and I think the institutions that I've seen do this more and more successfully sometimes can work their way to yeses in situations that might have been an easier no, so just thinking about really building that expertise and comfort level with the response protocols and policies that are in existence on your campus to try and get your senior leaders to feel like you have this under control to the best of your ability, not that you can control what happens, but that you have a response protocol in place, so that when something happens, they are confident that you'll be able to respond to that.” - Dale LaFleur, Ph.D., Senior Director, Academic Affairs and Internationalization, NAFSA: Association of International Educators 

“Resilience comes from recognizing that risk can never be totally eliminated, and our role is to prepare thoughtfully to respond effectively and remain focused on supporting students and all travelers (depending on what your role is) through experiences that are safe and productive and transformative, even when the path forward isn’t entirely in our control.” - Christine Sprovieri, Ed.D., President & Chair of Pulse International, and Senior Director of the Office of Global Travel Operations, Risk & Resilience, Brown University 


Breakout Sessions Offer Skills, Advice & Takeaways on Pressing Topics in the Field 

Across the concurrent sessions and quick brief exercises, presenters offered practical insights and case studies that addressed both immediate concerns and long-term planning. Topics ranged from strengthening program design and compliance frameworks to supporting student mental health and advancing inclusive practices in risk management. 

The Institute’s structure allowed participants to engage with a wide range of perspectives, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of health, safety, and security work in higher education. Sessions highlighted the importance of collaboration across campus units, and of mental health support, of inclusive protocols. Adaptability in the face of uncertainty and continued investment in professional development for both new and experienced practitioners were also discussed during the Institute. 

The program concluded with a Closing Session that brought participants together to reflect on key takeaways, shared challenges, and opportunities for continued learning and community building. Participants shared plans to develop new resources for their students, as well as better procedures and protocols for safety abroad, and discussed the importance of inclusive design and parent engagement.  


Looking Ahead to the Institute’s In-Person Event in Boston 

Today’s virtual Institute serves as a lead-in to the in-person Institute, which will take place in Boston, Massachusetts, at Boston College from June 24-26. Together, these programs underscore the field’s ongoing efforts to strengthen systems, share knowledge, and build resilience in support of students and institutions worldwide. 

Special thanks to this year’s committee members, presenters, attendees, the Forum team, as well as our 2026 sponsors for their support of The Forum and the field: Chubb, Valneva, Healix, International SOS, Gallagher, Zurich, On Call International, Everest Global, UMass Amherst Office of Global Affairs, Terra Dotta, Allied World: A Fairfax Company; and Allegiant Global Partners: A HUB International Company. ​