Resolve disputes using ethical, resilience-informed communication
James Madison University and Lanterns Mediation are introducing a transformative training and certification program designed to equip students, professionals and community leaders with tools to navigate conflict in today’s complex world.
Mediation in the Digital Age (MIDA) offers practical, real-world strategies for resolving disputes across personal, organizational and community settings. Our flexible program blends resilience-informed communication and ethics-driven practice with next-generation tools such as AI-assisted reflection and agreement design.
Whether you’re launching a career in mediation or expanding your leadership skill set, MIDA provides a clear pathway, offering stackable microcredentials aligned with Virginia’s court certification standards, plus advanced training in areas not available elsewhere in the Commonwealth: community mediation, workplace mediation and education mediation.
Questions About This Program?
Contact Elizabeth Sacco at
saccoeg@jmu.edu
540.568.4038
Mediation Certifications
This program is ideal for:
· Professionals working in conflict-prone settings (HR, social services, legal support, education, etc.)
· Students and career changers exploring mediation as a profession
· Community leaders, clergy and civic organizers seeking resolution tools
· Anyone looking to strengthen communication, reduce conflict and lead with clarity
This course is the entry point to professional mediation certification and provides practical, real-world skills for resolving conflict in personal, organizational and community contexts.
Participants will gain:
· Core conflict resolution skills aligned with the standards and guidelines established by the Supreme Court of Virginia
· Resilience-informed practices that support clarity, composure and sound decision-making under pressure
· Knowledge on how to use AI-integrated tools for self-reflection, communication planning and agreement drafting
· Inclusive, adaptable approaches designed to foster dialogue across diverse ideological perspectives, ensure ADA accessibility and support constructive engagement across ideological and cultural divides
Upon completion, learners earn a stackable Foundations certification that prepares them for advanced training and aligns with court-recognized mediation pathways in Virginia.
Launching soon — 2026 cohort
Building on the Foundations certification, these advanced pathways allow learners to deepen their expertise and specialize in key areas of mediation practice.
These certifications feature specialized training built around sector-specific challenges, with a continued focus on resilience, inclusivity and ethical mediation practice.
Participants will gain:
· Role-specific training tailored to real-world scenarios and sector-specific challenges
· Resilience-informed and AI-integrated frameworks that enhance professional effectiveness in high-stakes settings
· Knowledge on how to create accessible, inclusive curriculum that reflects ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) best practices and supports engagement across a wide range of perspectives and experiences
· Opportunities for practice, reflection and application
Each pathway will lead to a stackable credential that prepares graduates for leadership in mediation, policy, and public service.
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Breyette Lorntz is a mediator and educator dedicated to helping people navigate conflict with clarity and respect. She directs Lanterns Mediation and leads the Mediation in the Digital Age (MIDA) program at James Madison University.
Certified by the Supreme Court of Virginia as a court mediator, Dr. Lorntz has more than 20 years of experience teaching, coaching and guiding conversations in schools, workplaces and communities. She is currently completing advanced qualifications to mentor and train the next generation of mediators.
Her approach is practical and people-focused, blending proven mediation tools with real-world experience, resilience-informed practices, mindfulness strategies and the innovative use of AI to support learning and skill development. Dr. Lorntz creates a supportive environment where participants from all backgrounds can build confidence, strengthen communication skills and put mediation into practice.
Registration Information
Admission Requirements: MIDA is open to anyone age 18 or older, including JMU students and community professionals. Participants need reliable internet and basic digital skills. No prior mediation training is required. Learners should be ready to participate respectfully, follow JMU and Virginia Supreme Court Office of Dispute Resolution Services guidelines, and engage with diverse perspectives. A short personal statement explaining your interest in mediation is also required.
Program Completion Requirements:
To successfully complete the Foundations of Mediation Practice Certificate, learners must:
· Attend all scheduled sessions
· Complete all Core Skills and Applied Practice badges, demonstrating mediation skills and professional conduct
· Submit required artifacts and reflections that apply course concepts in narrative, visual, or audio/visual formats
· Compile a portfolio that demonstrates achievement of the course learning objectives
Course timeline & Structure: See our FAQ page, or reach out to cpdtraining@jmu.edu with your question.
Online: Credit card payments (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express) can only be accepted through online registration.
By Mail: To pay by check*, please complete the registration form and mail with payment to the address shown on the form no later than 3 weeks prior to the start date to allow for mail time.
*A $50 fee will be assessed for any check returned by the bank.
Registration Deadline: Registration closes 1 week prior to class start date.
For additional information including cancellation and refund policy, see Policies and Notices.
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