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Ombuds Spring 2026 Open Workshops

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Below are upcoming Jan-May 2026 virtual professional development events

These events are open to all all UT System staff & faculty (including postdocs!)
as well as all UT Knoxville graduate & professional students. 

SIGN UP NOW to reserve a seat 
and please pass this info along to your colleagues, students, and/or supervisors!

Highlighted Events coming soon on January 9 & 13!

Receiving Feedback Well: Crafting Constructive Responses
VIRTUAL – January 9th,  11:00-12:30 pm ET   Register via workshop.utk.edu
If receiving feedback is unpleasant, frustrating, or simply missing in your workplace experiences, you are not alone! Join us for a 90-minute virtual session where we will discuss the receiver’s role in fostering constructive feedback experiences. During this session you will: a) examine your current reactions and responses in different types of feedback situations; b) learn strategies for engaging in constructive feedback dialogue to strengthen relationships, improve performance, and foster personal growth, and c) make a plan to advocate for your professional goals as part of feedback dialogue. Topics include: fostering a growth mindset, managing emotions, setting SMART goals, and planning for regular feedback dialogue. This interactive workshop includes self-reflection, breakout discussion, and action planning activities.

Getting Unstuck: Intro to Office of Ombuds Services
VIRTUAL – January 13th,  1:30-2:30 pm ET   Register via workshop.utk.edu

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, we will introduce participants to a range of free services from the Ombuds Office, 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!

Spring 2026 Ombuds Open Enrollment Events

REMINDER: UT Knoxville affiliated Units or groups can request ANY Ombuds workshops or session to be provided at your preferred time & location.

Spring Schedule – all times are Eastern!
Date
Title
Time
Location
9-Jan Receiving Feedback Well: Crafting Constructive Responses 11-12:30 Virtual – Zoom
21-Jan Giving Feedback Well: Creating Safe Dialogue 12:30-2:00 Virtual – Zoom
29-Jan Dynamic Mentoring Relationships: A Key to Better Research registration now open! 1:15-2:45 Virtual – Zoom
3-Feb Getting Unstuck: Intro to Ombuds Services 11-12:00 Virtual – Zoom
6-Feb Psychological Safety: Self-Assessment & Strategies 11:30-1:00 Virtual – Zoom
11-Feb Speaking Up: Communicating More Assertively 1-2:30 Virtual – Zoom
18-Feb Honoring Dignity to Reduce Interpersonal Tensions & Conflict 11-12:30 Virtual – Zoom
25-Feb Receiving Feedback Well: Crafting Constructive Responses 1-2:30 Virtual – Zoom
4-Mar Getting Unstuck: Intro to Ombuds Services 12-1:00 Virtual – Zoom
6-Mar Giving Feedback Well: Creating Safe Dialogue 10:30-12:00 Virtual – Zoom
9-Mar Intro to Crucial Conversations and the Employee Conflict Navigators program 1-2:00 Virtual – Zoom
11-Mar Speaking Up: Communicating More Assertively 11-12:30 Virtual – Zoom
18-Mar Creating a More Psychologically Safe Working Environment
(Part 2 of the Psych Safety Series – prerequisite: completion of Part 1 or an assigned pre-reading)		 11-12:30 Virtual – Zoom
23-Mar Registration Deadline for
“Understanding Your Conflict Dynamics Profile”
23-Mar Harnessing Tension & Uncertainty: Reframing Conflict as an Opportunity for Growth 12:30-1:45 Virtual – Zoom
31-Mar Intro to Crucial Conversations and the Employee Conflict Navigators program 12:30-1:30 Virtual – Zoom
1-Apr Getting Unstuck: Intro to Ombuds Services 1-2:00 Virtual – Zoom
7-Apr Understanding Your Conflict Dynamics Profile (CDP) 12:30-2:00 Virtual – Zoom
20-Apr Registration Deadline for
“Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue” **
20-Apr Tentative – new Growth Mindset Workshop
save the date!		 TBD Virtual – Zoom
22-Apr Creating a Dignity-Conscious Work Environment
(Part 2 of the Dignity Series – prerequisite:
completion of Part 1 or an assigned pre-reading)		 1-2:30 Virtual – Zoom
5-May Getting Unstuck: Intro to Ombuds Services 11:30-12:30 Virtual – Zoom
May 1-29 Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue (CCMD) Intensive Workshop **  Requires 6 hours independent online Asynch work with discussion Zooms on May 8, 15, 22, 29 10:30-12:00 Online
3-Jun Getting Unstuck: Intro to Ombuds Services 12:30-1:30 Virtual – Zoom
8-Jul Getting Unstuck: Intro to Ombuds Services 10:30-11:30 Virtual – Zoom

** Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue has a cost of $270 per participant for online materials access – it gives 1 year access to all online videos, handouts, and additional resources. NOTE: We process this as an internal departmental transfer of funds (no personal payments, please). Funding assistance & scholarship information available upon request.

Questions? Contact ombudsed@utk.edu.
Office of Ombuds Services – Education & Outreach