Below are upcoming Feb-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 Feb 11 & 18!
Speaking Up: Communicating More Assertively
VIRTUAL – Feb 11, 1-2:30pm ET Register via workshop.utk.edu
Struggling with how to effectively assert your needs, opinions, and boundaries? Worried you’ll sound rude? Or may not be firm or clear enough? Join us to discuss the pros and cons of assertive communication; examine common barriers to communicating assertively; practice specific verbal and non-verbal strategies for communicating clearly, respectfully, and assertively. Our goal is to empower you to honestly communicate what you think, feel, and want in a way that honors dignity and contributes to psychological safety.
Honoring Dignity to Reduce Interpersonal Tensions & Conflict
VIRTUAL – Feb 18th, 11am-12:30pm ET Register via workshop.utk.edu
What is Dignity and how does it relate to communication & conflict? We all have an inherent value (dignity) that drives our need to matter and belong. Attending to feelings and experiences of dignity is crucial to building relationships of trust and mutual understanding. Violations of dignity are often the root cause of anger, resentment, mistrust, and destructive conflict. Join us to to explore the importance of dignity in workplace relationships; discuss how to honor dignity & avoid violations; and strategize ways to uphold the dignity of yourself and others.
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.
No challenge too small or too big – we are here to help!
Spring Schedule – all times are Eastern! |
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Date |
Title |
Time |
Location |
| 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” |
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| 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” ** |
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| 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