The College of Arts and Sciences at Seton Hall University will host its eighth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium and Keynote Lecture in January 2026. The event invites students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to reflect on the legacy of Dr. King and his contributions to racial justice and social change.
The symposium is scheduled as a two-part program: the keynote lecture will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026, followed by a one-credit workshop on Monday, January 19, 2026. Both events are open to the Seton Hall community and the public at no cost; however, registration is required for planning purposes.
Seton Hall undergraduate students can enroll in AFAM 3291: MLK Day Symposium for one academic credit by attending both the keynote lecture and the workshop. The course is included under Spring semester flat tuition with no additional fees regardless of credit load. Students enrolled for credit will need to complete two post-event essays.
Students seeking University Life engagement credit may attend either the keynote lecture or participate in a service project during the symposium.
Professor Khyati Y. Joshi from Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Peter Sammartino School of Education will deliver this year’s keynote address titled “The Role of Religion in The Founding of America: Implications for the Civil Rights Movement Leadership.” Joshi’s research focuses on race, religion, and immigration in contemporary America. She has published several works including “White Christian Privilege: The Illusion of Religious Equality in America” (NYU Press, 2020) and co-edited “Envisioning Religion, Race, and Asian Americans” (University of Hawaii Press, 2020).
Reverend Forrest Pritchett, Ph.D., director of Seton Hall’s Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Program commented: “Dr. Joshi’s extensive 21st century work expands upon and provides a modern, intersectional framework for the paradigm of ‘belonging’ that compliments the 20th century contributions in the social justice and anti-racism legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.”
Pritchett added that Joshi has previously engaged with Seton Hall students through lectures with Peoples and Cultures of America courses.
On January 19th—the federal holiday honoring Dr. King—a workshop will be held focusing on themes such as social justice leadership and historical foundations of American freedom. Topics include colonial New Jersey’s role in early American history; African American revolutionary aspirations; key figures like Crispus Attucks, Phyllis Wheatley, James Forten; Frederick Douglass; Dred Scott v. Sandford Supreme Court decision; and Dr. King himself.
A D.O.V.E service project concludes Monday’s activities. Ghana Hylton, associate director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Program said: “Dr. King said ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?’ so adding a charitable act emphasizes the Seton Hall University mission and our constant dedication to servant leadership.”
Registration details are available on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Symposium website.
