Podcast: Career Pivots and Holding Space

Tom A. Kosakowski, a University Ombuds and author of The Ombuds Blog, joined the Blessed Be Podcast (hosted by Robert Polanco, Dawn Sander, and Jacqueline Villafañe) to discuss career transitions and the skills that support navigating professional uncertainty. Kosakowski reflects on his own path and the broader relevance of Ombuds-informed practices beyond formal roles. 

Advice for Ombuds Job Seekers

HigherEdJobs, the jobs and career site for academia, has published an informational article about the Ombuds profession.  The piece includes quotes from Bruce J. MacAllister, an IOA Board member and Ombuds with the International Foundation for Online Responsibility; Leah P. Hollis, an Assistant Professor at Morgan State University and author of a recent article in the Journal of IOA; and this blogger, Tom Kosakowski, an Ombuds at UCLA.

Two Experienced Ombuds to Create New Program at USC

The University of Southern California has hired Katherine Greenwood and Tom Kosakowski as its first University Ombuds. Together, they will serve as co-equals and create an Ombuds program for a campus that has been roiled by a series of high profile scandals in recent years. Greenwood will serve the main university campus and Kosakowski will serve the nearby medical center. According to the job postings, the two new Ombuds will practice to IOA standards and become part of a new administrative center: "Campus Wellness and Crisis Intervention."

Are Students Bypassing Ombuds in Favor of Social Media?

A recent article in Inside Higher Ed looked at students' increasing willingness to take complaints public through social websites or media, even before officials can present their own solutions. The article highlighted recent student protests at Hudson County Community College, Kennesaw State University, University of Southern California, of which only Kennesaw has an Ombuds program. (Unfortunately, the author was unable to reach Tim Hedeen at Kennesaw for a comment.)

IOA Announces 2024 Honorees

At its annual conference last month, the International Ombuds Association announced its 2024 Trailblazer and President’s Award recipients. “There are so many talented ombuds serving their communities in so many vital ways,” said Alicia Booker, 2023 IOA President. “We are thrilled to honor them for all that they contribute to our profession, and for their extraordinary leadership,” added Sarah Klaper 2024 IOA President.

Revisiting the Issue of 'Fairness'

Earlier this month, I updated my definition of "Organizational Ombuds.'  The post generated some feedback, but has now rolled off the front page.  I thought I would repost it to spur additional comments.  Here's a recap:

VCU's 2019 National Conflict Resolution Day Program to Feature New USC Ombuds

The National Conflict Resolution Day celebration at Virginia Commonwealth University will include a keynote by Tom Kosakowski, the new Ombuds for the Health Sciences Campus at the University of Southern California. This is the seventh annual event hosted by VCU University Ombudsman William King and will take place on October 17, 2019. As usual, the event is free and open to the public.  

Lifestyle Magazine TV Features Ombuds

The weekly, syndicated TV series featured Tom Kosakowski as a guest this week on the topic of dispute resolution. The half-hour talk show is carried on TBN in 450 markets and is also available on the web.

Ethics Resource Center Says Ombuds Have Role Under Federal Sentencing Guidelines

Twenty years after the U.S. Sentencing Commission implemented the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations, the Ethics Resource Center has issued an independent assessment of the the Guidelines’ effectiveness. Among its recommendations, the ERC said that the Guidelines should explicitly recognize that Ombuds are important and appropriate component for corporations to meet the requirements.

IOA Posts Agenda for 2024 Annual Conference in Indianapolis

The International Ombuds Association has opened registration for its 19th annual conference. Traditionally, the event takes place in April. This year, the event is set for March 18-20, 2024 at the Marriott Indy Place in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. 

IOA has also published details for the conference:

Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution Opens Registration for First Ombuds Conference

CIDR at Saint Paul University in Ottawa has announced details for its first Ombuds-focused conference on May 6-7, 2024. The hybrid event, "The Ombuds: Foundations, Best Practices, and Development," will bring together practitioners and researchers in conflict resolution and the Ombuds field to discuss the evolution of Ombuds practice. The organizers, Brent Epperson and Jean-François Rioux, have released the full agenda:

CPR 2015 Annual Meeting in San Diego Will Feature Panel of Ombuds

The next meeting of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution will include a panel session on Ombuds.  The conference is set for February 19-21 at The Lodge at Torrey Pines.

ENOHE Newsletter Highlights 2011 Conference

With the start of its ninth annual conference in Madrid, the European Network for Ombudsmen in Higher Education has published its latest newsletter. In addition to an overview of conference activities, the newsletter includes the following articles:

National University Sponsors Ombuds Day 2025 Webinar

National University and its Ombudsman, LaCrisia "Cris" Gilbert, are hosting a fee webinar to celebrate Ombuds Day. After a welcome by NU's president, Donna Douglass Williams, the Ombuds at Pinterest, will offer a keynote address on "Ombuds: Empowering Voices, Resolving Challenges." A panel discussion on Promoting Ombuds & Dispute Resolution follows with Tom Kosakowski, Ombuds at the University of Southern California, and Jack Hamlin, Professor in the NU School of Public Service at National University. Aurelia Bickler, NU Professor Social & Behavioral Sciences, will offer an opening mediation. 

IOA to Offer ADR Training in New Orleans

The International Ombudsman Association brings three training programs to New Orleans in late January 2018.  The offerings are aimed at novice and experienced Organizational Ombuds, but are open to the public.  Note that enrollment is capped at about 30 for these courses. 

UCLA Ombuds Office Marks 40 Years of Service

The Office of Ombuds Services at the University of California Los Angeles will host an open house March 31 to celebrate more than four decades of service to the campus.  An article in the staff and faculty newsletter profiles the office headed by Kathleen Canul and including Brenda Woods-Patin, Katy Kolodziejski, Thomas Griffin and Tom Kosakowski.

Podcast Interview with USC Health Sciences Campus Ombuds

Law and politics researcher and podcaster İdil Elveriş has shared another interview with an Ombuds: Tom Kosakowski from the University of Southern California. The conversation covers how were Ombuds programs were initiated in the U.S.; how the changing university student profile is contributing to the adoption of Ombuds programs; what Ombuds programs do to help their organizations; how medical schools ae unique settings for Ombuds services; and the future of ombuds as an institution internationally.

IOA Elects Officers at 2010 Conference

At the annual business meeting of International Ombudsman Association, out-going Board President Gary Yamashita announced that directors have been elected as officers for 2010-2011:

Journal of IOA Highlights Bullying Issues

The fourth issue of the Journal of the International Ombudsman Association focuses on bullying in organizations. In his forward, JIOA Editor in Chief David Miller notes that, “Ombudsmen have crucial advantages in enabling characterisation, definition and responses to reported bullying in organisations."

Cal Caucus Sets 2015 Agenda

The California Caucus of College and University Ombuds has posted the details for its 42nd annual meeting at Asilomar, a calming rustic conference center on the ocean, in Pacific Grove. Taking place on November 8-11, 2015, the event draws Ombuds from beyond California and the higher education sector with its casual and intimate tradition.