The Office of the Ombud at UW has opened a search for a new Associate Ombud. (The office consistently uses "Ombud" rather than "Ombuds.") The university in Seattle includes three academic campuses and two medical centers. With minimal supervision, the position is expected to work with over 300 visitors a year and take a frontline role in the office’s outreach efforts. The Associate Ombud reports to the University Ombud, Chuck Sloan, and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.
Katya Melluish has been appointed the next WFP Ombudsman and Director. She follows Dolores Gómez-Morán, CO-OP, who served in an interim role and the prior permanent Ombuds, Gabrielle Kluck. From the WFP headquarters in Italy, Melluish will lead a team that provides Ombuds services to employees worldwide. She will serve an initial four-year contract.
WHO has reopened its search for a Regional Ombudsperson to be based in Manilla. The full-time position serves WHO personnel in the country and region, and reports directly to WHO's Regional Director. This is a fixed-term appointment for two years.
Following the departure of Interim University Ombuds, Lea Occhialini, at the end of 2023, UMass Amherst asked MWI to provide Ombuds services to over 38,000 students, faculty, and staff across 12 schools and colleges. The initial six-month contract was renewed July 1, 2024 for an additional six months. The UMass Amherst Ombuds Team of Derrick Johnson, Birthe Reimers, and Larry Hunt work with the existing Ombuds office manager, Kristen Farrell, and reports to the Chancellor.
As with all of their clients, MWI's Ombuds Team practices to IOA Standards as specified in a written agreement.
There have been recent changes in the WSU Ombuds Office. Last month, Sheri Glaesman ended her work as an Ombuds after six years in the position. In May 2023, Debbie (DJ) Lee, completed eight years in the role. The two current part-time University Ombuds are Justin Denney, who started in January 2022, and Karen Sanguinet, who started in August 2022. The office serves nearly 40,000 WSU stakeholders, particularly administrative professionals and classified staff.
VIMS, the marine research and education center in Gloucester Point, has unveiled a Graduate Program Ombuds. Comprised of faculty Ombuds and student peer advisors, the volunteer Ombuds assist VIMS graduate students. (VIMS' School of Marine Science is one of a graduate school of the College of William & Mary.) "The School of Marine Science Ombuds are trained faculty volunteers. Peer advisors are trained graduate student volunteers who can assist students by providing a peer's perspective and an additional avenue to ombuds resources."
Brian Bloch, an experienced Ombuds was a guest this week on "Conflict Managed," a podcast hosted by Merry Brown, a workplace conflict restoration consultant and mediator. Bloch has been an Ombuds for over two decades and currently is the OMbuds for the Global Green Growth Institute, the World Central Kitchen, ISKCONResolve, and is co-Ombuds at Ashoka and NASA.
