The first cohort of West Virginia University leaders graduated from Crucial Conversations training yesterday afternoon. This program, designed to foster open dialogue around difficult topics, has been piloted in the Student Life and Facilities and Services units.
Forty members of these senior leadership and management teams participated, including Corey Farris, Dean of Students, and Keith Lawrence, Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management. Additionally, Keith Pyles Jr. and Al Kasprowisc
were recognized by their peers as Exemplary Participants in the program. Reflection speakers were Teresa Hefferin, Assistant Director of Environmental Health and Safety and Corey Farris, Dean of Students.
The four-month training was an opportunity for management in these areas to learn ways to create more open and accepting environments within their departments, promoting a more positive, participation-oriented culture at WVU. It will benefit employees at all levels of the University, increasing employee morale and well-being, providing higher customer satisfaction and quality, and solidify the feeling of OneWVU.
Crucial Conversations will become a professional development tool for WVU leaders. Leadership and Organizational Development will continue to engage other divisions in Crucial Conversations training.