Faculty Profile

LaCrisia "Cris" Gilbert — Adjunct Faculty: Conflict Management

Cris is the executive director of Dispute Mediation Service in Dallas, Texas. Until October 1, 2006 she was the Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator for Dallas County. One can hardly accompany Cris in the West End of Dallas without her waving to or acknowledging someone she knows from the courts or the public sector. "One of her strengths is her contacts with hundreds of people in the conflict resolution field in Texas and nationally. For Cris, these contacts are not a matter of social status, but are opportunities to learn and to be a better public servant," says Glenn Currier, Director of the El Centro College Conflict Resolution Studies Program.

Cris is veteran mediator with a private practice since 1993.  She has conducted numerous training programs and mock mediations.  Cris has been active in the group considering mediator credentialing in the state of Texas, and is a leader in in both the legal and ADR communities in North Texas. 

Professional Background
Cris has completed more than 50 training courses and has the distinction of possessing a Master of Dispute Resolution degree from the prestigious Pepperdine University School of Law.  She has also taught dispute resolution courses for Southern Methodist University.

Personal Background
Ms. Gilbert acknowledges, "...what really qualifies her as a neutral is that she has been on both sides of the table, as a mediator and a Participant.  But what most qualifies her is that she has raised a teenager to adulthood utilizing her conflict resolution and mediation skills."