Space-Maker Program Expands Mission to USU Statewide

Conversational Space-Makers, a Utah State University program focused on conflict resolution through conversation, is ready to serve USU campuses statewide. The service provides opportunities for students facing challenges to navigate conflict with support from Space-Makers, fellow students who listen without judgment to facilitate meaningful conversations with their peers.

The expansion comes at a time when the program has successfully created the infrastructure to accommodate increased capacity. They also aim to serve students earlier in their educational journey, and, where offered, provide training opportunities for students to become Space-Makers.

"By expanding our reach, we hope to empower individuals with transformative conflict resolution skills, creating positive change within our communities," said program founder Clair Canfield.

This student resource offers a unique approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing a conversational space where individuals can explore their conflicts, guided by trained students acting as skilled listeners rather than offering advice.

Space-Makers take multiple courses, participate in ongoing training, and receive mentorship from program coordinators Canfield and Bobbi Petersen. Additionally, the program collects data about participant experiences to ensure that the quality of service remains high.

Canfield, a faculty member in the Department of Communication Studies and Philosophy, expressed hope that expanding statewide would strengthen mental health support services for USU students while targeting the normal emotions of distress, anxiety, fear and discomfort associated with conflict.

"Conflicts often arise from unmet needs, and our focus is on helping individuals identify and address these needs to transform their conflicts," said Canfield, who sees college as a challenging time for many individuals.

As students navigate new stressors and new relationships, the program is intended to offer a space where they can go to deal with a conflict with a roommate or a challenging decision.

Space-Makers’ twofold mission of education and service has been successfully addressing the needs of students at USU's main campus, but sessions are scheduled and conducted online, making it an easy fit for students at any location.

Those wishing to meet with a trained Space-Maker can peruse bios to identify students with similar backgrounds — student-athletes, for example — or find a Spanish-speaking provider. Students can also use the scheduling app to simply book an appointment based on availability.

For now, the program is limited to serving USU’s student population, but Canfield said that as the current cohort matriculates, they are beginning to see how experience in conflict resolution could enhance communities beyond the university.

“They've got this new skillset and capacity to help people create change and transform their conflicts,” he said, “and it’s really exciting to see what they're going to do with that.”

To access Space-Makers' services or learn more about the program, visit https://chass.usu.edu/communication-studies/space-makers/index