Collaborative Communication Workshop Series

O.A.B.E.’s Winter 2026 Professional Development 

Baskin Engineering and The Office of Access, Belonging, and Equity invite you to join us for a series of in-person workshops over two afternoons this winter quarter to come together as a community of workers and develop our skills in collaborative communication, conflict navigation, and empathic leadership with communications coach & expert Aimee Ryan. 

Aimee has over 15 years of experience in mediation, conflict resolution, and team development. Her training and teaching will seek to offer a transformative learning experience designed to develop the communication skills of our faculty, staff, and researchers, to support our thriving community. 

Workshop Goals:

• Strengthen empathy and active listening: Learn how to listen deeply, recognize emotions and needs in conversation, and respond in ways that foster understanding rather than division.
• Enhance conflict-navigation skills: Gain practical tools to engage in difficult conversations with more connection and collaboration.
• Promote inclusive dialogue and depolarization: Develop a “both/and” mindset that embraces multiple perspectives.

Workshop Details 

We will hold the workshops at the serene and beautiful UCSC Arboretum. Lunch will be served.

Day 1: Thursday, February 5, 2025, 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm

• Foundations of Collaborative Communication
• Giving & Receiving Authentic Feedback

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Day 2: Friday, February 6, 2025, 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm

• Moving from Polarization to Collaboration 

• Collaborating Across Power Differences

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Who should attend?

The workshops are open to all Baskin Engineering faculty, staff, researchers, and postdocs who are interested in strengthening leadership, communication skills, team dynamics, synergy, and making our work environment even better than it already is! 

How to participate

• RSVP here before Friday, Jan 30.
• Save the date now! Add to your Google Calendar using the links above
• The sessions are designed as a full course. Attendees are encouraged to attend both sessions. The Day 2 workshop will only be open to attendees of Day 1.  
• Attendance at both sessions is required to earn the Baskin Engineering Collaborative Communication Certificate.

Seats are limited

Due to limited space, we will close registration when we reach maximum capacity. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to lead with clarity, empathy, and confidence!

Please direct your questions about the workshop to Richard Raygoza at riraygoz@ucsc.edu.