Small but tight-knit, Oglethorpe has always been about community — for students and for employees. After receiving Strategic Plan grant funding in 2023, Oglethorpe University’s Human Resources department launched a plan to help fortify that community for its professional employees, offering a series of free, personal development seminars focused on communication and relationship-building.

Oglethorpe HR partnered with human resources consulting firm Human Resources Knowledge Source (HRKS) to realize this goal. With extensive experience developing tailored HR solutions and specialization in diversity, equity and inclusion education, the full-service firm was the ideal choice to steward the university’s vision for a “diverse, inclusive and collaborative community” as outlined in the university’s 2022-27 Strategic Plan.

The first seminar series, “Managing Difficult Conversations,” began in March. Open to all faculty and staff, the seminar provided coaching for how to successfully initiate and follow through with necessary, if sometimes uncomfortable, workplace conversations and navigate conflict. More than 45 faculty and staff have attended at least one session already.

“A takeaway from the first round is that we are all better when we can pause, get curious, stay open, and remember that no matter how much we disagree, we can transform conflict into connection,” says Human Resources Manager Colleen Donaldson. “What a skill we can share with our students — that alone will take them, and us, far!”

When developing this strategic initiative, Oglethorpe University Human Resources directly polled faculty and staff about how they hoped to improve campus relationships.

“When we began work on the grant, we talked with OU faculty and staff about what was needed to be the caring, collaborative community envisioned in the strategic plan,” continued Donaldson. “Open, clear communication was cited repeatedly if we were to build a stronger culture based on respect and mutual support.”

Thus, the initiative was created. With a goal of engaging up to 50% of staff and faculty in professional development courses, HR hopes to implement at least one community-building seminar each semester.

The next course will be offered in the fall of 2024.