Job Posting: World Food Programme

WFP is seeking an Ombuds Officer (Outreach & Communication) at the P-4 level for its Office of the Ombudsperson and Mediation Services in Rome. The position reports to the Ombuds, Katya Melluish, and will lead the office's outreach and communication strategy, capacity-building program, and communication campaigns while also providing confidential Ombuds services, including coaching, mediation, and other informal conflict resolution services.

Relay Graduate School of Education Opens Ombuds Program

The private graduate school for teachers based in New York City has created a Student Ombudsman Service for its 5,000 enrolled students. According to a new webpage, the Relay Ombuds serves students with "institutional and academic concerns, clarification of policies, and other challenges that impact academic progress." Notably, Relay does not identify the person serving as Ombuds on its website, which is unusual for an Organizational Ombuds program. (Relay Ombuds.)

Ombuds at University of Victoria Posts 2025 Annual Report

Angus Shaw, the Ombudsperson for UVic, has released his 2025 annual report, highlighting administrative fairness issues identified through the Office’s work with students. Shaw handled 449 cases in 2025, roughly the same as the 452 cases handled in 2024. Academic concessions were the most common type of case, accounting for 16.7% of the total, followed by academic integrity and faculty or staff behavior, each at 11.5%. The Office also reported approximately 6,700 unique visitors to its website, up from about 6,000 in 2024. 

Cal Caucus 2026 Has Not Yet Sold Out

For the first time in several years, the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds has not sold out in the first day. Organizers for the event at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, November 8-11, 2026, report that there are still a few spots available. (Cal Caucus Humanitix.)

Santa Fe College Names Next Ombuds

The community college in Gainesville, Florida, has named Karla Solis as its new Ombuds. Solis succeeds Bea Awoniyi, who retired after 13 years at the college. Solis began on June 16, 2026. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, Solis will also provide oversight of some student support programs, including the Disabilities Resource Center and Displaced Homemakers. 

Ombuds Sought for Interviews About Professional Association Needs

Julie Muroff is seeking Ombuds who have been members of IOA for at least one year to participate in confidential interviews about what Ombuds want and need from a professional association. The interviews will take 60 minutes or less and must be completed by August 14, 2026. 

Here is her full request: 

Peralta Community College District Names First Ombuds

The Peralta Community College District has established an Office of the Ombuds, with Kohya Lu serving as its first Organizational Ombuds. The full-time position serves approximately 850 employees, including classified professionals, faculty, and administrators, across the District's four colleges in Northern California's East Bay. Until very recently, Lu had served as the inaugural Ombudsperson at College of San Mateo since August 2023. (PCCD Ombuds.)

Introducing the Ombuds for Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

In September 2024, Jeff Stransky was hired as the Ombudsperson for the polytechnic institute in Calgary, Alberta. He follows Kamini Bernard in the full-time position that provides services to all members of the SAIT campus community. The SAIT Ombuds reports to the Vice President of Student Affairs and External Relations, and receives advice and direction from the Ombudsperson Leadership Committee, which includes student representatives.

Davidson College Debuts Ombuds Office

The private liberal arts college north of Charlotte, North Carolina, has selected its first Ombuds: Jerry Nuesell. As a temporary, part-time consultant, he is launching a program to serve the college's faculty and staff will lead the program's initial setup including the creation of a website, formal policies, and outreach materials. Nuesell continues as the Ombuds for Wake Tech, where he also established the office in 2017. (Davidson Ombuds.)

Job Posting: United Nations

The Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS) is seeking a Consultant for Informal Conflict Resolution. The fully-remote position will report to the Regional Ombudsman and/or Chief of Service in New York and provide Ombuds services to UN employees for an expected period of six months.

Cary, North Carolina, to Consider Ombuds for City Employees

The small town east of Raleigh is looking at several organizational reforms including an Ombuds for employees, after a new report detailed exorbitant spending by town officials and a toxic workplace culture under former town manager. The business law firm of Womble Bond Dickinson produced a 272 page report that "includes recommendations intended to improve Town operations, the Town’s workplace environment, and the channels through which Town financial information is disseminated to the Town Council and Town residents." 

ABA DRS Idle Chat: Red Cross Ombuds on the Importance of Listening

The American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution has shared its latest episode of "Idle Chat" and it features Dawn Miller Sander, Assistant Ombuds at the American Red Cross. Miller's chat with host Natalie Armstrong-Motin is casual and relaxed, and eventually delves into the professional significance of their work in conflict resolution. In the final portion of the interview Miller She emphasizes that her "whole job" is listening. She explains that by being a patient, active listener and asking the right probing questions, she empowers people to resolve their own conflicts and find their own way forward. (YouTube.)

Ole Miss AAUP Raises Alarm Over Camera Outside Ombuds Office

The University of Mississippi is facing new scrutiny over its Ombuds program after the university's chapter of the American Association of University Professors raised concerns about a facial-recognition camera outside the entrance to the Ombuds Office. The group says employees discovered the camera on July 13 and argues that its presence undermines the confidentiality that is fundamental to the Ombuds function, potentially deterring faculty, staff, and students from seeking assistance.

University of Wisconsin–Madison Enlists Another Ombuds

UW-Madison announced the appointment of Charles Hoslet to the Ombuds Office for a three-year term starting this past June. Hoslet joins six other Ombuds: Jane Dymond, Susan Ellis Weismer, Amy Fruchtman, Robin Kurtz, Regina Murphy, and Don Schutt. He has worked at UW-Madison for nearly three decades in a wide range of administrative roles, most recently as Vice Chancellor for University Relations. (UW-M News.)

Job Posting: VU Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking its next Staff Ombudsman. The full-time position will serve more than 6,000 faculty and staff with workplace concerns. The Ombuds reports administratively to the Executive Board while maintaining an independent role. The search will fill a position held most recently by Michiel Geursen and supplements the work of Pelin Zenginoğlu, the Student Ombudsman.