Two Museums Program Inspires Ethical Leadership and Civic Engagement

This summer, students from 14 colleges and universities across the country came together in Washington, D.C., for the 2026 Two Museums Program, an initiative of Adelphi University's Robert B. Willumstad School of Business in affiliation with International March of the Living.

While many participants held internships in Democratic and Republican congressional offices, law, business, and nonprofit organizations, they shared a common commitment to understanding history and combating intolerance.

Led by founder Dr. David Machlis and Program Director Professor Joseph Celentano, the program brought students to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Through museum experiences, expert-led discussions, and survivor testimony, participants explored the Holocaust, antisemitism, the Civil Rights Movement, and other historical examples of prejudice and discrimination.

A highlight of the program was hearing from 97-year-old Holocaust survivor Peter Feigl, whose personal story reinforced the importance of preserving memory and confronting hatred in all its forms. Students also examined the historical connections between Black and Jewish communities and reflected on the role of leadership in building understanding across differences.

"This is not a one-and-done event," Dr. Machlis told participants. "You will be the boots on the ground at your university, in your community, and wherever you might go to combat hatred, intolerance, racism, and antisemitism."

Upon completion, participants received a Certificate in Ethical Leadership from the Willumstad School of Business. According to Professor Celentano, the program's impact is evident in the way students engage with difficult histories and develop the skills needed to lead with empathy, integrity, and purpose. "The Two Museums Program Empowers Students to Lead Against Hatred and Intolerance.

Originally launched in 2023 At Adelphi and expanded nationally in 2026, the Two Museums Program has become a model for experiential learning, combining academic rigor, civic engagement, and leadership development. As students return to their campuses and communities, they carry forward the program's mission: to transform historical understanding into meaningful action and become leaders who build bridges across divides.