On October 26th Missouri State students took part in the Association of Missouri Mediators (AMM) annual conference thanks to scholarship support provided by the Center for Dispute Resolution (CDR).  

About AMM 

​The Association of Missouri Mediators is an educational and networking organization that connects mediators across the state and shares information on the process of mediation with the public. The association sponsors a yearly conference that provides educational and networking opportunities to mediators and students in the state and surrounding areas.  

The CDR has a long history of supporting AMM, with CDR Director Dr. Charlene Berquist serving as a board member in 2006 and Associate Director Heather Blades currently serving on the board. Dr. Berquist also received AMM’s President’s Award in 2008 and in 2014 in recognition of her efforts in mediation training, education, and research in the state.  

About the Conference  

For 2018, AMM’s annual conference was hosted in St. Louis, with a live webcast provided in Springfield, Columbia, and Kansas City. Presentations at the conference focused on a variety of topics ranging from building networks of connections, marketing a mediation business, intercultural communication styles for mediators, using neuroscience to help people manage conflict, and mediating business disputes.  

Student Attendees Benefit from Conference Access  

Many students receiving scholarship support from the CDR attended the live webinar at the satellite location in Springfield, although a few distance learning students also attended in St. Louis or via the webcast from their homes or offices.  

Tracey Glaessgen, a student in the Graduate Certificate in Conflict and Dispute Resolution who received a scholarship to attend the conference, shared that, “I wanted to attend the Association of Missouri Mediators conference because it allowed for an opportunity to join the conversation surrounding mediation by experts and professionals in the field.  Having the chance to listen to different perspectives and experiences within the realm of mediation provides a deeper understanding of the profession.”  

Leah Walcott, another student in the Graduate Certificate in Conflict and Dispute Resolution who received a scholarship to attend the conference echoed this sentiment, saying “ I attended the conference because I am interested in mediation as a career. It was very informative!” 

The CDR was pleased to support students’ attendance at this outstanding learning event.