Syracuse University Names First Permanent Ombuds

Alumnus and former employee, Neal Powless, will return to Syracuse as its first University Ombuds, effective tomorrow. He takes over from Interim University Ombuds Samuel Clemence who helped guide the selection process. SU Chancellor Kent Syverud said that Powless's, “experience in career and academic advising, in social and personal counseling, and in the Office of Multicultural Affairs have prepared him to serve in this key role.”

Powless knows the campus well. He worked at Syracuse from 2007 to 2015 as a career counselor, academic coordinator, and finally as Assistant Director for Academic Affairs of the Native Student Program. Since then, he has been a private consultant as co-owner of Indigenous Concepts Consulting. He has also been the owner and manager of the Syracuse Stingers, a professional lacrosse team, and the head coach of the Men's Dutch National Lacrosse team. He graduated from Nazareth College and earned his MS in school counseling from Syracuse. He is currently a PhD candidate at SU's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. (Syracuse News; LinkedIn.)

Related posts:  Students Call for Ombuds at Syracuse University; Syracuse University Faculty Committee Joins Effort to Create Ombuds Office; Task Force Report Moves Syracuse University Closer to Implementing Ombuds Office; Syracuse Campus Groups Frustrated by Slow Progress Towards Ombuds; Syracuse University Unveils Ombuds Program; Job Posting; Syracuse University Promises Ombuds Appointment by Year End.