Brookdale Hosts Civility Week: 'Democracy Takes Courage'

Annual event focuses on civic engagement and democratic values from February 16-20.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Brookdale Community College is hosting its annual Civility Week from February 16-20, 2026, with the theme 'Democracy Takes Courage'. The week-long event will feature speakers, panels, and discussions exploring topics such as media literacy, immigration, the role of the judiciary, and engaging in meaningful dialogue across differences. The goal is to create space for the campus community to thoughtfully engage with the realities shaping democracy today.

Why it matters

As a community college committed to compassion, collaboration, creativity, and courage, Civility Week is an important initiative that reflects Brookdale's mission to prepare students for informed civic participation. In a time of uncertainty and division, the event aims to remind the community that sustaining democracy requires active, engaged citizens willing to work towards justice and collective responsibility.

The details

Civility Week will include sessions led by judges, scholars, educators, and community leaders. Topics will cover media literacy, immigration and human rights, the role of the judiciary and checks and balances, global and local civic engagement, and the skills needed for meaningful dialogue across difference. The event is open to students, faculty, and staff, who are encouraged to attend sessions, support students, and engage in the learning opportunities.

  • Civility Week will take place from February 16-20, 2026.

The players

Brookdale Community College

A public community college located in Lincroft, New Jersey, committed to providing affordable, accessible higher education and preparing students for civic engagement.

President Stout

The president of Brookdale Community College, who has emphasized the importance of responding to uncertainty, fear, and division with action rooted in shared values.

Angela Kariotis

The author of the article 'Democracy Takes Courage', which serves as the theme for Brookdale's 2026 Civility Week.

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What they’re saying

“Responding to uncertainty, fear, and division requires more than awareness—it requires action rooted in our shared values.”

— President Stout (Brookdale Community College)

“The arc of the moral universe does not bend on its own. It bends because people—often working quietly and persistently—commit themselves to justice, understanding, and collective responsibility.”

— Dr. King (Brookdale Community College)

What’s next

Brookdale has opened registration for the Civility Week events, and encourages all students, faculty, and staff to participate in the learning opportunities.

The takeaway

Civility Week at Brookdale Community College is an important initiative that reflects the college's commitment to preparing students for informed civic participation. By creating space for thoughtful dialogue and engagement with the realities of democracy, the event aims to inspire the campus community to work towards justice, understanding, and collective responsibility.