Cohen Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies

To Remember…and to Teach

The Cohen Institute (formerly the Cohen Center) at Keene State College cultivates research, events, and resources to advance understanding of the Holocaust and genocide on campus and in the broader community. The Institute has its origins in 1983, when Prof. Charles Hildebrandt established one of the nation's first Holocaust resource centers. The scope and nature of our work has continued to evolve and expand since that time and, in 2024, a landmark gift from Rick and Jan Cohen allowed what was then the Cohen Center to expand into a much broader and more sustainable Institute.

Over the next few years, the Cohen Institute will scale up to full operations, which will include a research division to generate new scholarship that will advance the field of Holocaust and Genocide Studies. The Institute will also work to equip current and future leaders--including students--with knowledge about the genocidal process and how to combat the root causes of mass violence. We are also expanding the support and funding available to local educators who are committed to integrating these subjects into their classrooms. By activating and engaging a network of experts (locally and across the globe), the Institute will provide a crucial space for fostering analysis of past and present genocides, innovative teaching, and high-impact events and programs.

The best way to stay informed about the Cohen Institute's offerings and news is to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. Our e-newsletter comes out once a month, usually on the first business day. If you are signed up but not receiving our mailings, please check your spam or junk folder. You can also explore, and subscribe to, our YouTube channel.