Leadership, Antisemitism, and the Responsibility of Higher Education (Part 3 with Kate Zatz)

In this final installment of their conversation with Dr. Kate Zatz, Michael Cottam and Vernon Smith explore one of the most difficult and urgent topics facing higher education today: antisemitism on college campuses and the responsibility of institutional leaders to respond with integrity and wisdom.

Kate begins by sharing personal background about her family, her children’s Jewish upbringing, and the way these issues became very real through her son’s experiences as a student. She recounts troubling incidents of antisemitism at the University of Vermont and reflects on the role that advocacy organizations, student organizing, and federal Title VI complaints have played in pushing institutions to respond.

The conversation then moves into a larger leadership discussion. Kate argues that many higher education leaders are not adequately prepared for the complexity of the institutions they are asked to lead. She raises important questions about leadership pipelines, institutional memory, and the loss of knowledge continuity in higher education.

Vernon and Michael invite Kate to reflect on what gives her hope in the face of these challenges. Her answer points not to grand systems alone, but to the everyday work of raising thoughtful children, mentoring emerging leaders, continuing to learn, and choosing to keep going even after setbacks.

The episode closes with a fitting reflection on Kate’s legacy: not only the thousands of students whose diplomas bear her signature, but the many leaders she has encouraged, mentored, and helped prepare for the work ahead.

This final conversation is both sobering and hopeful—a reminder that higher education leadership requires courage, memory, compassion, and a deep commitment to people.

Key Topics Covered

Kate Zatz’s family story and Jewish identityAntisemitism on college campusesStudent advocacy and Title VI complaintsThe role of the Brandeis Center and Jewish on CampusLeadership responsibility in moments of crisisWhy institutional policies and practices matterKnowledge continuity and institutional memory in higher educationConcerns about leadership preparation and presidential pipelinesThe importance of history, learning, and moral awarenessMentorship, hope, and legacy in a life of service

Key Resources for this Episode

Brandeis Center - https://brandeiscenter.com

Jewish on Campus - https://www.jewishoncampus.org

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