University’s Director of Culture and Climate Encourages Us to Rethink Conflict as a Way to Make Progress

Conflict is natural and unavoidable, but doesn’t have to be a dead end—it’s a chance for growth, according to Seya Lumeya, Chico State’s Director of Climate and Culture.   

Since joining the University in 2023, he has been helping the campus rethink the way it handles conflict of all varieties, turning these unfortunate obstacles into opportunities for dialogue and progress. His role covers everything from interpersonal conflict resolution to initiatives that strengthen workplace satisfaction and lay the groundwork for new policies.  

With a professional and educational background in restorative justice and peacemaking that spans courtrooms, high schools, correctional facilities, and communities, Lumeya has seen firsthand how conflict can either divide or transform.  

Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo before moving to the US to attend Fresno Pacific University, Lumeya witnessed a culture where violence was often the default response to conflict.  

But as he matured, he embraced a different narrative—one that values resolution over retaliation. That philosophy now guides his work at Chico State, where he’s leading change and amplifying a collective effort.   

“Conflict is normal and necessary,” said Lumeya, underscoring its universality. “When we understand that, we don’t get stuck. There’s always a way forward.” 

One of the biggest reasons for conflict, he said, is change.  

Change can be hard and nebulous—and life in 2025 is full of it. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and remote collaboration tools are reshaping professional and personal norms. While these innovations offer flexibility, efficiency, and reclaimed personal time, they also expose underlying workplace tensions—miscommunication between colleagues, shifting expectations, and evolving power dynamics. 

Lumeya’s mission is to ensure staff, faculty, and students understand they don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. 

“For those who attend my training, I always emphasize that change is the seedbed of conflict,” he said. “It’s inevitable, and it will continue long after we leave. The question is: How do we engage with it in a productive way?” 

The key, he said, is creating safe, non-judgmental spaces where people can openly discuss their concerns. 

“Part of my work is creating space where we can have those conversations,” he said. His goal is to bring people into the process of working through conflict and pain points, to make their voices a part of the discussion about things that are not working, and where all parties go to find progress.

This is crucial for helping employees work through individual conflicts, but also in helping the campus community respond to and roll with larger changes that impact them on a policy level.  

Transformation, he said, is different from conflict resolution—it’s not about making coworkers become best friends, but rather about creating new ways for every person on campus to feel like they’re on the same team. “Transformation is about creating an environment where everyone feels respected, safe, and able to work with people who all want to do their best for one another.”  

“This work isn’t just about me—it’s a ‘we,’” he emphasized, crediting his team and the broader community for fostering this shift. With leadership support and a shared vision, Lumeya is helping Chico State reimagine conflict—not as a battle to win, but as a conversation to navigate.  

Communications Manager Clayton Truscott leads storytelling and content development efforts for University Communications.