Office of Ombuds Services Workshop Descriptions (List)
Workshop Date / Time Location Instructor Seats Left  

The Office of Ombuds Services helps to empower graduate students, staff, and faculty to navigate challenges related to their experiences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In this interactive session, participants will be introduced to a range of free services from the Office of Ombuds Services, our perspectives on conflict as a tool for innovation, and our key approaches to navigating challenging situations.

No challenge too small or too big - we are here to help!

This presentation will also include scenarios of typical challenges brought to the Ombuds, the standards & ethics we follow, and how to access our consultation, mediation, and educational services. 15 minutes reserved for Q&A in this session.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at
ombudsed@utk.edu.

" data-trigger="hover" data-original-title="Topic Description:">0 - Getting Unstuck: Intro to Ombuds' Services (all times eastern)
05/05/2026 (Tue)
11:30am - 12:30pm
Virtual - Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before. Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 30

The Office of Ombuds Services helps to empower graduate students, staff, and faculty to navigate challenges related to their experiences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In this interactive session, participants will be introduced to a range of free services from the Office of Ombuds Services, our perspectives on conflict as a tool for innovation, and our key approaches to navigating challenging situations.

No challenge too small or too big - we are here to help!

This presentation will also include scenarios of typical challenges brought to the Ombuds, the standards & ethics we follow, and how to access our consultation, mediation, and educational services. 15 minutes reserved for Q&A in this session.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at
ombudsed@utk.edu.

" data-trigger="hover" data-original-title="Topic Description:">0 - Getting Unstuck: Intro to Ombuds' Services (all times eastern)
06/03/2026 (Wed)
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Virtual - Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before. Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 29

The Office of Ombuds Services helps to empower graduate students, staff, and faculty to navigate challenges related to their experiences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In this interactive session, participants will be introduced to a range of free services from the Office of Ombuds Services, our perspectives on conflict as a tool for innovation, and our key approaches to navigating challenging situations.

No challenge too small or too big - we are here to help!

This presentation will also include scenarios of typical challenges brought to the Ombuds, the standards & ethics we follow, and how to access our consultation, mediation, and educational services. 15 minutes reserved for Q&A in this session.

Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before.
Questions or need accommodations? Email us at
ombudsed@utk.edu.

" data-trigger="hover" data-original-title="Topic Description:">0 - Getting Unstuck: Intro to Ombuds' Services (all times eastern)
07/08/2026 (Wed)
10:30am - 11:30am
Virtual - Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before. Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 30

Registration Closes March 23rd, 2026 .

Once registration closes, registrants will receive an email invitation to take the Conflict Dynamics Profile (CDP) self-assessment survey for free.

Questions or need accommodations? Email us at ombudsed@utk.edu.

You may also request this workshop for your dept, unit, or group on your preferred date using the Ombuds Workshop or Outreach Session Request form.

" data-trigger="hover" data-original-title="Topic Description:">Conflict: CDP - Understanding your Conflict Dynamics (all times eastern)
04/07/2026 (Tue)
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Zoom - Link sent to registrants on day before Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 0
Use this linked form to Register for this workshop - do not click the Join Waitlist button below. Registration deadline April 20, 2025.

This 12-hour workshop is next offered May 2026, over 4 weeks with ~1.5 hours independent online work each week before weekly Zoom sessions for 90 minutes each

A Crucial Conversation is a discussion between two or more people where the stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. When conversations turn crucial, people tend to follow one of two ineffective paths: they either speak directly and abrasively to get the results they want but harm relationships, or they remain silent with the hope of preserving relationships only to sacrifice results. This intensive training builds skills for constructively engaging in conflict —rather than stepping over or around it— turning disagreement into dialogue.

Workshop details:

  • Held online over 4 weeks, participants will complete 1-2 hours of asynchronous online activities from Crucial Learning (~6 hours) prior to engaging in each of four 1.5-hour virtual discussion and skills practice sessions (6 hours via Zoom) for 12 total PD hours. More about CCMD training content.
  • Materials Cost: $270 online materials access fee per person. Consult with your unit/department/college for funding – this is typically paid via internal transfer through Campus Shared Services. Funding support available.

For next session, ALL virtual workshop activities take place on Mondays - May 8, 15, 22, and 29 - from10:30 am-12:00 pm Eastern. Plan to complete 1 hour of independent pre-work before the first scheduled Zoom session.

You must register for this training using the SEPARATE SPECIAL registration form (linked above and here):
Use this linked form to Register for this workshop - do not click the Join Waitlist button below.

" data-trigger="hover" data-original-title="Topic Description:">Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue
05/01/2026 (Fri)
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Virtual - Session Zoom link sent to those registered the day before. Ombuds Staff - Dr. Lisa Yamagata Lynch 0
Dignity #2: Creating a Dignity-Conscious Work Environment (all times eastern) 04/22/2026 (Wed)
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Zoom - Link sent to registrants on day before Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 26