The Center for Restorative Practices

Mission

The Center for Restorative Practices' mission is to empower the campus community with tools of engagement for nurturing interpersonal bonds and collectively resolving harmful disruptions to build a more inclusive, respectful, and vibrant SSU for all.

Vision

The Center for Restorative Practices sees SSU as a thriving environment with strengthened relationships and renewed well-being, ensuring a positive influence on personal and professional growth for all.

What We Provide

Listening & Learning Sessions on Community Building
1-on-1 & Group Coaching on Relational Strengthening
Trainings & Workshops on Navigating Conflict
Supportive Resources on Interpersonal Communication

Contact

Marcus Adeshima Penn, MD, CYT

Manager

[email protected]

International Hall Rm. 200C, 2nd floor

(707) 664-2485

Upcoming Trainings:

October 2025

For Students: Cultivating a Restorative Practice Environment in Leadership

Want to learn the secrets to better teamwork and leadership, fast? This "Restorative Refresh" is a quick, high-impact introduction to the powerful Restorative RePAIR™ Model. This interactive primer will show you how to solve problems directly and respectfully. You'll practice simple tools to handle disagreements in group projects, student clubs, or with roommates before they turn into major drama. This is your first step toward becoming a go-to problem-solver—a skill that will make you a better leader today and give you an advantage in your future career.
Friday, Oct 3, | 1:00–1:50 PM

Location: 2025 Lobo Leadership Conference, Student Center | Ballroom A/B/C/D

For Staff Managers: Community C.A.R.E. (4-Part Series)

We are excited to introduce the Community C.A.R.E. Series, a program designed to support you in your daily work. C.A.R.E. stands for Compassion, Advocacy, Responsibility, and Empowerment, and this series provides practical tools and shared strategies for communicating effectively, especially in challenging situations. Our goal is to equip you with the confidence to navigate disagreements constructively, helping to foster a more supportive, respectful, and collaborative atmosphere for everyone at Sonoma State.
Wednesdays, Oct 8, 15, 22, 29 | 1:00–2:00 PM

Location: Stevenson Hall, Room 1201

“Get to Know” Restorative Practices and The Center (30 min Session)

Curious about how we can build a stronger, more connected campus community at Sonoma State? The OPHD Center for Restorative Practices promotes skills and strategies that focus on strengthening relationships and navigating conflict through dialogue and mutual understanding. This 30-minute session will introduce you to our core ideas and showcase the resources we offer to everyone on campus. Join us to discover how these practices can help in your classes, work, and daily interactions to foster a more respectful and supportive campus environment for all.
Faculty and Staff: Tue, Oct 14 | 12:15–12:45 PM or 3:00–3:30 PM
Students: Wed, Oct 15 | 12:15–12:45 PM or 3:00–3:30 PM
Faculty and Staff: Thu, Oct 16 | 12:15–12:45 PM or 3:00–3:30 PM

Location: International Hall, 2nd Floor, Conference Room

November 2025

“Get to Know” Restorative Practices and The Center (30 min Session)

Curious about how we can build a stronger, more connected campus community at Sonoma State? The OPHD Center for Restorative Practices promotes skills and strategies that focus on strengthening relationships and navigating conflict through dialogue and mutual understanding. This 30-minute session will introduce you to our core ideas and showcase the resources we offer to everyone on campus. Join us to discover how these practices can help in your classes, work, and daily interactions to foster a more respectful and supportive campus environment for all.
Faculty and Staff: Tue, Nov 4 | 12:15–12:45 PM or 3:00–3:30 PM
Students: Wed, Nov 5 | 12:15–12:45 PM or 3:00–3:30 PM
Faculty and Staff: Thu, Nov 6 | 12:15–12:45 PM or 2:15–2:45 PM

Location: International Hall, 2nd Floor, Conference Room

For Students: Thrive Under Pressure (3-Part Series)

Feeling overwhelmed by deadlines, exams, and the demands of college life? This workshop is for you. We’ll explore the science behind how stress works and give you practical tools to manage it—from techniques to help you stay focused during finals to simple exercises that can calm your nerves before a big presentation. This program is all about building skills to handle pressure effectively, so you can avoid burnout and perform at your best. Learn how to thrive, not just survive, at Sonoma State and beyond.
Thursdays, Nov 6, 13, and 20 | 3:00–4:00 PM

Location: Stevenson Hall, Rm 1206

For Faculty: Restorative Communication Labs (6-Month Series)

After learning new communication techniques, the key to mastery is practice. Our Monthly Restorative Communication Labs offer a supportive, respectful space for faculty to apply the skills from our workshops to real-world academic scenarios. Think of this as a 'community of practice' where you can refine your approach to navigating complex departmental discussions, mentoring students, or fostering constructive classroom dialogue. Join us to keep your skills sharp and build confidence in your daily interactions.
3rd Thursdays | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Nov 20

Location: Zoom

December 2025

“Get to Know” Restorative Practices and The Center (30 min Session)

Curious about how we can build a stronger, more connected campus community at Sonoma State? The OPHD Center for Restorative Practices promotes skills and strategies that focus on strengthening relationships and navigating conflict through dialogue and mutual understanding. This 30-minute session will introduce you to our core ideas and showcase the resources we offer to everyone on campus. Join us to discover how these practices can help in your classes, work, and daily interactions to foster a more respectful and supportive campus environment for all.
Faculty and Staff: Tue, Dec 2 | 12:15–12:45 PM or 3:00–3:30 PM
Students: Wed, Dec 3 | 12:15–12:45 PM or 3:00–3:30 PM
Faculty and Staff: Thu, Dec 4 | 12:15–12:45 PM or 3:00–3:30 PM

Location: International Hall, 2nd Floor, Conference Room

For Staff: Quick Tools for a Better Workday: The "Restorative Refresh"

Join us for the "Restorative Refresh," a brief and practical introduction to the RePAIR™ Model for effective communication. In this short session, you’ll discover how taking a proactive approach to solving disagreements can lead to a more positive and efficient workplace. We’ll cover the basic principles of the RePAIR™ model and practice a few simple tools you can use right away to reduce team friction and build stronger collaboration. This is the perfect first step toward gaining more confidence in handling everyday conflicts.
Wed, Dec 10 | 3:30–4:30 PM

Location: Stevenson Hall, Room 1207

For Faculty: Restorative Communication Labs (6-Month Series)

Location: Zoom

January 2026 (and ongoing through April 2026)

For Faculty: Restorative Communication Labs (6-Month Series)

Location: Zoom

For Staff Managers and Supervisors: A Manager's Guide to High-Stakes Conversations

As a manager, your most challenging moments are often in difficult conversations. The “Staying Skillful” workshop is designed to equip you with the skills to lead effectively when the pressure is on. You will learn proven techniques to manage your own reactions, stay focused, and make sound decisions during sensitive performance reviews, team conflicts, or change initiatives. Using practical, scenario-based exercises, we’ll focus on de-escalating tense situations and finding resolutions that build, rather than break, trust. You’ll leave with greater confidence in your ability to handle any conversation and lead your team more effectively.
Wed, Jan 21 | 1:00–3:00 PM

Location: Stevenson Hall, Rm 1209