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

Julie Vivas, J.D.

[email protected]

Associate Vice President

707-664-2480

Marcus Adeshima Penn, MD, CYT

Manager

[email protected]

International Hall Rm. 200C, 2nd floor

(707) 664-2485

Request Services

Restorative Coaching Session (1-on-1 or group)

From the OPHD Center for Restorative Practices, this individualized or small-group Restorative Coaching Session offers a brave and supportive space for participants to reflect, express, and strengthen their capacity for restorative engagement and communication. Guided by restorative principles, these sessions are designed to help students, faculty, or staff navigate interpersonal challenges, repair harm, and build practical skills for empathy, accountability, and trust. Each session is adapted to the unique needs of the participant(s), fostering personal growth and alignment with our shared community values.

Available as a 1-on-1 or small group format, as needed
60min, 90min, or 120min
GOAL: Strengthen individual and collective capacity for repair and connection
Request it here

Restorative Learning Sessions (3 or 6 Session Full Training)

The OPHD Center for Restorative Practices 12-module development program designed to foster accountability, strengthen relationships, and build healthier learning and working environments. Through practical tools and guided practice, participants learn how to address challenges early, communicate with respect, and collaborate more effectively. The program encourages everyone—faculty, students, and staff—to take ownership in creating positive resolutions, leading to stronger connections, smoother teamwork, and a more supportive campus community.

3 weekly sessions at 120min each or 6 weekly sessions at 90min each or full day retreat
Weekday in-person sessions followed up with a 30min Monday virtual recap/check-in
GOAL: A core/comprehensive/foundational restorative practice curriculum
Request it here!

Staying Skillful: Navigating Relational RePAIR (comprehensive themes)

From the OPHD Center for Restorative Practices, this advanced Staying Skillful session is designed for anyone or any group/team looking to strengthen their ability to stay grounded and effective during high-stakes conversations. Participants will explore practical, evidence-based techniques for managing stress responses and approaching conflict with clarity and composure. The session emphasizes skills that help reduce misunderstandings, foster constructive dialogue, and de-escalate tension before it escalates further. Growth is measured through interactive scenarios that give participants the chance to practice and refine their responses in real-world situations.

1-time session
120min needed
GOAL: A restorative intensive/sampler with experiential exercises
Request it here

Restorative Practices (A Primer)

The OPHD Center for Restorative Practices offers this primer as a streamlined introduction to restorative practices. This training is designed to build awareness of how accountability and conflict navigation improve campus culture and reduce delays caused by unresolved issues. Participants will learn the core principles of a restorative practices approach and practice simple tools for addressing disruptions at their source. The primer empowers participants to take the first steps toward ownership of resolutions, laying the foundation for more effective communication, stronger collaboration, and smoother operations.

45-60min 1-time session
Within a standing or scheduled meeting
GOAL: A primer to the foundational restorative practice curriculum
Request it here

Community C.A.R.E. Series (4 Parts)

The OPHD Center for Restorative Practices Community C.A.R.E. Series (Compassion, Advocacy, Responsibility, and Empowerment) offers a practical framework for building understanding and resolving conflicts in positive, respectful ways. This program gives faculty, students and/or staff easy-to-use tools for navigating workplace challenges, helping to reduce stress and minimize the need for formal HR/OPHD processes. By fostering compassionate and professional communication, the C.A.R.E. framework strengthens Sonoma State’s core values while creating a healthier, more supportive campus for everyone.

4 weekly sessions
60min each
GOAL: A community engagement tool
Request it here

The Restorative Well Series - Resilience, Environment & Community (3 Themes)

This Restorative Well series from the OPHD Center for Restorative Practices provides evidence-based training on the physiological and psychological components of professional resilience and well-being. Participants will learn to identify and manage physiological stress responses through applied nervous system regulation techniques, enhancing cognitive function under pressure. The program focuses on improving an individual’s capacity to maintain high performance in demanding academic and administrative environments. By cultivating an understanding of how environmental factors influence personal efficacy, this series empowers participants to model and maintain composure, directly contributing to a more stable and productive institutional climate.

3 weekly sessions
60min each
GOAL: A campus climate and supportive well-being offering
Request it here

Restorative Listening & Healing Circle (campus engagement)

From the OPHD Center for Restorative Practices, this facilitated Restorative Listening & Healing Circle forum provides a structured and controlled environment for the campus community to address and process significant institutional disruptions or challenges. Utilizing a restorative circle methodology, this initiative serves as a critical tool for qualitative data collection to identify systemic issues and points of friction from the perspectives of students, faculty, and staff. It is a proactive strategy to de-escalate tensions and to create a fair way to navigate problems where everyone feels respected, helping us move forward together as a campus community.

1-time session (as needed)
90min needed
GOAL: A restorative interactive experience of campus solidarity
Request it here

Restorative Communication Lab (6-Month Series)

These monthly Restorative Communication Labs from the OPHD Center for Restorative Practices offer an engaging space to build on the foundations of restorative practices training. By creating a consistent forum for real-world application, the labs help ensure that communication and conflict resolution skills don’t just stay in the office unit, department, residence hall or classroom, but become part of everyday practice. This ongoing support prevents skill decay and turns a one-time training into a lasting, institution-wide strength. The result is steady growth in interpersonal effectiveness, fostering a more collaborative, supportive, and efficient academic learning environment.

6 monthly sessions
60min each
GOAL: An active engagement series for using interpersonal communication tools
Request it here

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