UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Center for Faculty Development and Advancement (CFDA) is encouraging attendance to the final virtual session of a professional development series, "SPARK: Supporting Program Advisors through Reflective Knowledge Sharing," occurring Wednesday, April 1, from 1 to 2 p.m. via Zoom.
The SPARK program is designed to support Penn State faculty serving in academic leadership roles. This initiative provides specific, practical guidance for those who oversee degree programs and academic initiatives across the University. The program is tailored for program chairs, graduate program heads, program directors, professors-in-charge, and anyone within the Penn State community who has academic unit responsibilities.
The final virtual spring 2026 SPARK session is titled “The Space Between: Navigating Difficult Moments with Intention.” The session will be led by Nicole Webster, associate dean for faculty affairs and diversity, equity, and inclusion, College of Health and Human Development
About the session
In the moments between tension and resolution lies an opportunity to pause, reflect, and respond with purpose. This interactive workshop guides participants through an intentional exploration of conflict, offering an equity-minded framework for recognizing and addressing its root causes. Through facilitated discussion, attendees will examine how power dynamics and implicit biases shape difficult moments, while building practical skills in active listening and equity-centered dialogue. Participants will leave equipped with actionable strategies for navigating conflict with empathy and fairness, and for fostering more just environments within workspaces.
For more information and the Zoom link for all sessions, visit the SPARK page at cfda.psu.edu.
All sessions are listed on the CFDA professional development calendar and are open to Penn State academic leaders and faculty from across all campuses.
The Center for Faculty Development and Advancement is part of Penn State Faculty Affairs.