University of Maryland University College Unveils Ombuds Office

The public, distance-learning university has established an Ombuds Office to serve nearly 100,000 staff, students, and faculty.  Blair H. Hayes was appointed in June 2013 and a website for the new office debuted last week.  According to a charter for the office, Hayes will practice to IOA Standards.


Hayes joined UMUC in 2004 as the Director of Diversity after working as a consultant in the fields of diversity and equal employment opportunity practices.  He graduated from Morehouse College and earned an MA and PhD in social/organizational psychology from Temple University. His research focused on gender and racial dynamics in the workplace. (UMUC Ombuds, Bio; LinkedIn.)

A job posting in October 2012 indicated that UMUC was hiring a "Resolution Services Manager" with duties almost identical to those of an Organizational Ombuds.

Related: Job Posting.