Master of Arts Administration program welcomes Athens Area Mediation Service to class for inaugural workshop

April 2026

(by Julia Weber, BS ’25, MAA ’26, Brooke Boynar, BFA ’25, MAA ’26)

In January, the Master of Arts Administration (MAA) program welcomed representatives of Athens Area Mediation Service. Marcelle Gilkerson, Executive Director of Athens Area Mediation Service, along with Isabel Graziani and Danny Yahini, who bring years of mediation expertise and training, piloted an introductory training on mediation that was specifically designed for arts administration students to develop skills that they could apply to their professional careers. 

The workshop took place as part the students’ course on strategic planning and communication. Dr. Christi Camper Moore, who heads the MAA program and teaches this course, explained why she sought out this opportunity for students, “Mediation training equips arts administrators with more than conflict-resolution skills—it builds the strategic communication, listening skills, and negotiation mindset needed to lead creative organizations where values, voices, and limited resources often collide. For arts administration graduate students, mediation is not peripheral training; it’s leadership training.”

Because the arts are built on human connection and a shared passion, the field can be subject to emotion. Students were taught how to navigate conflicting feelings and difficult conversations to better serve their field as professional arts administrators.

“The reason I love working in the arts is because people are so passionate about their beliefs and that’s what I want to do. It was a good reminder that everyone is in it for the same reason, but they approach it differently,” explained Campbell Hogue, BA ’25, BA ’25, MAA ’26.

Students were led through various exercises highlighting active listening strategies and tips for respectful, productive communication. Through hands-on simulated scenarios and one-on-one conversations about times they experienced conflict and needed to communicate with others, students shared experiences and strategies for healthy workplace communication. For Kendall Hayes, BFA ’25, MAA ’26, the training was “very helpful” for students learning to advocate for the arts.

“Learning how to deal with conflicts and effectively say your thoughts and opinions is very important. Especially as someone who doesn’t like conflict, learning how to face conflict in a way that is beneficial to both parties was important. It’s something I’ll take from this lesson,” said Hayes.

Instead of viewing conflict as a negative or unhealthy aspect of professional life, the training framed it as a way of understanding different perspectives while still adhering to organizational values and responsibility. Katherine Tuttle, BFA ’25, MAA ’26, said the training offered her an opportunity to be vulnerable with herself and others by navigating conflict.

“I think nine times out of 10, having gone through this meditation training, being vulnerable really leads to a positive outcome and communication and trust. That helps strengthen bonds, especially in the workplace,” said Tuttle.

Through the exercises modeled in the training, students learned how to be open to conflict and embrace different perspectives. Lilah Watson, BFA ’25, MAA ’26, said she learned conflict is important for personal and organizational growth, while Margaret Edwards, BFA ’25, MAA ’26, said she appreciated the different opinions that arise out of conflict.

“Conflict doesn’t have to be a negative or harmful conversation,” said Watson.

“Conflict can be healthy and it’s natural, so it can spark new ideas,” added Edwards. “It’s okay to have different opinions because it might lead to something you never expected.”