UTK Workshop Registration

Office of Ombuds Services Workshop Descriptions (List)
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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 our voluntary free consultation, education, and coaching services to individuals, leaders and teams. Come learn about our uniquely independent, impartial, informal, and confidential services that are designed to help you, your team, and our academic community innovate and thrive.


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


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) 		09/02/2026 (Wed)
10:30am - 11:15am		 Virtual - Zoom link will be provided the day before Ombuds Staff - Ame Houston 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 our voluntary free consultation, education, and coaching services to individuals, leaders and teams. Come learn about our uniquely independent, impartial, informal, and confidential services that are designed to help you, your team, and our academic community innovate and thrive.


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


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) 		10/09/2026 (Fri)
11:00am - 11:45am		 Virtual - Zoom link will be provided the day before Ombuds Staff - Nellie Haddad 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 our voluntary free consultation, education, and coaching services to individuals, leaders and teams. Come learn about our uniquely independent, impartial, informal, and confidential services that are designed to help you, your team, and our academic community innovate and thrive.


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


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) 		11/02/2026 (Mon)
2:00pm - 2:45pm		 Virtual - Zoom link will be provided the day before Ombuds Staff - Ame Houston 30
enhance your personal ability to navigate conflict.


NOTE: After registration closes on 9/15 registrants will receive emails with information on how to take the online self-assessment pre-survey for free. You will be expected to complete this online survey by 10/6.


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

" data-trigger="hover" data-original-title="Topic Description:">Conflict: CDP - Understanding your Conflict Dynamics (all times eastern) 		10/13/2026 (Tue)
1:30pm - 3:00pm		 Virtual - Zoom link will be sent the day before Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 29
Use this linked form to Register for this workshop - do not click the Join Waitlist button below. Registration deadline October 16, 2026.

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This 12-hour workshop is next offered Fall 2026 over 4 weeks with ~1.5 hours independent online work each week due before each of the four 90-minute Zoom sessions held October 27 and November 3, 10, 17 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm.


This intensive training provides strategies and builds skills for constructively engaging in difficult conversations —rather than stepping over or around it— in order to turn disagreements into dialogue. 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.


Workshop details:

  • Time Requirements: Over 4 weeks, participants will complete 1-2 hours of asynchronous online activities from Crucial Learning Online (~6 hours) prior to engaging in each of four 90-minute virtual discussion and skills practice sessions (6 total 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. Limited funding support available.

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 		10/27/2026 (Tue)
1:30pm - 3:00pm		 Virtual - Zoom link will be sent along with the prework Ombuds Staff - Dr. Lisa Yamagata Lynch 0
Dignity: Co-creating a Dignity-Conscious Work Environment with Your Team 10/07/2026 (Wed)
10:30am - 12:00pm		 Virtual - Zoom link will be sent the day before Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 29
Intro to Healthy Feedback 09/08/2026 (Tue)
11:00am - 12:00pm		 Virtual - Zoom link will be sent the day before Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 29
More on Crucial Learning

  • The ECN Certificate program, open to all full-time employees with a utk.edu NetID, develops communication, conflict management, and relationship-building skills. Participants independently complete 20 hours of workshops & follow-up coaching with the 12-hr CCMD workshop as a requirement. More about Conflict Navigators.


    • While we strongly recommend those interested in CCMD or ECN participate in this intro, it is not required. If you cannot attend one of these sessions and you have questions, make a 30-minute appointment to speak with the Ombuds Ed Coordinator or email ombudsed@utk.edu.

    " data-trigger="hover" data-original-title="Topic Description:">Overview of Crucial Conversations & the Employee Conflict Navigators Certificate program     		08/26/2026 (Wed)
    11:00am - 12:00pm    		 Virtual - Zoom link will be sent the day before Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 28
    More on Crucial Learning

  • The ECN Certificate program, open to all full-time employees with a utk.edu NetID, develops communication, conflict management, and relationship-building skills. Participants independently complete 20 hours of workshops & follow-up coaching with the 12-hr CCMD workshop as a requirement. More about Conflict Navigators.


    • While we strongly recommend those interested in CCMD or ECN participate in this intro, it is not required. If you cannot attend one of these sessions and you have questions, make a 30-minute appointment to speak with the Ombuds Ed Coordinator or email ombudsed@utk.edu.

    " data-trigger="hover" data-original-title="Topic Description:">Overview of Crucial Conversations & the Employee Conflict Navigators Certificate program     		10/02/2026 (Fri)
    1:00pm - 2:00pm    		 Virtual - Zoom link will be provided the day before Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 30
    Psych Safety: Co-Creating a Psychologically Safer Workplace with Your Team 11/18/2026 (Wed)
    1:00pm - 2:30pm    		 Virtual - Zoom link will be sent the day before Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 29
    Speaking Up: Communicating More Assertively 09/15/2026 (Tue)
    1:30pm - 3:00pm    		 Virtual - Zoom link will be sent the day before Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 29
    Speaking Up: Introduction to More Assertive Communication 10/21/2026 (Wed)
    1:00pm - 2:00pm    		 Virtual - Zoom link will be sent the day before Ombuds Staff - Duren Thompson 29