Meet the First Ombuds at East Tennessee State University

ETSU, the public research university in northeast Tennessee, created an Ombuds program for its Faculty in 2023. Allan Forsman became the first Ombuds in March 2023 and was joined by Amber E. Kinser in the fall semester. Together, they provide services to nearly 1,000 academic staff following IOA standards.

Forsman has been a a professor in the Department of Health Sciences since 1998. During his tenure at ETSU, he has served on several committees and received multiple awards for teaching. He earned his PhD from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine in 1991. He joined ETSU in 1998. Kinser joined the faculty in 1997 and is currently a professor in the Department of Communication Studies and Storytelling. During her tenure at ETSU, she has served as director of Women’s Studies and department chair. She earned her PhD from Purdue University. (ETSU Ombuds.)