Whiddon COM kicks off spring semester with staff retreat: 'Turning Disagreements into Dialogue'

Whiddon College of Medicine staff members participated in a retreat focused on navigating difficult conversations. 

The Whiddon College of Medicine Office of Student Affairs, led by Associate Dean Kelly Roveda, M.D., and Assistant Dean Laventrice Ridgeway, Ed.D., started the new year with an engaging and insightful staff retreat focused on enhancing communication and collaboration. The retreat provided a dynamic learning experience for the team, featuring a special presentation on “Turning Disagreements into Dialogue,” a primer on Crucial Conversations. 

Crucial Conversations presenters Tiqueria Hall, Ph.D., MPA, education and training program manager in the Office of Health Advancement, and Marcina Lang, MPA, senior manager of COM support services, guided the staff through a two-hour interactive session designed to equip them with essential skills for navigating difficult conversations. The workshop emphasized strategies to transform disagreements into constructive dialogue, fostering a more open and effective communication environment within the Student Affairs department.

The retreat, held on a Friday morning, set a positive tone for the year ahead by encouraging staff members to engage in meaningful discussions through situational topics relevant to their daily interactions. By applying the basic tools discussed, the team explored ways to address conflicts with clarity, respect, and mutual understanding.

The Whiddon COM Student Affairs staff expressed their enthusiasm for the retreat's success, highlighting the importance of continuous professional development in strengthening teamwork and enhancing student support services. 

For those interested in a staff retreat focused on “Turning Disagreements into Dialogue: A Crucial Conversations Primer,” contact Amanda Arnold, education and training specialist in the Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development, at akarnold@southalabama.edu. 

For any other staff retreat questions, contact Marcina Lang at marcinalang@southalabama.edu.