Job Posting: University of Wyoming

The public land-grant research university in Laramie has opened a search for its next Ombudsperson, who serves all campus constituents. The full-time position reports to the University President and practices to IOA standards. The office has been significantly upgraded (in terms of reporting line and scope of services) in the past year and a half under Nellie Haddad. The position is not eligible for remote work.

Sanofi Creates Global Ombuds Program

This month, the French multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company has quietly created an Ombuds program for its 100,000 worldwide employees. Few details about the new Ombuds program have been made public, but a recent summary of the company's employee benefits and wellbeing initiatives, acknowledges the existence of an "Ombuds Office, an additional confidential, independent, impartial and informal Speak Up resource."  (Sanofi Employee Benefits.)

Job Re-Posting: Montgomery County Public Schools

The Montgomery County Board of Education in the DC suburb of Rockville, Maryland, has reopened its search for an Ombudsperson. This full-time position reports to the school board of Maryland's largest school district and serves parents, community members, 28,000 employees, and 160,000 students. (Ryvell D. Fitzpatrick, was the Ombuds for three and a half years and recently became the Director of the Board of Education for Prince George's County Public School.)

University of Pittsburgh Opens Internal Search for New Faculty Ombuds

The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences (the liberal arts college at Pitt with 12,000 students) is seeking three Faculty Ombudsperson. They will join a new Ombuds Office that "will initially be staffed by a full-time director/staff ombudsperson, a graduate student ombudsperson and three faculty ombudspersons, one from each Dietrich School division." The part-time Faculty Ombuds (0.20 FTE) will serve a one-year term. They will be expected to participate in Ombuds training and join IOA.

IOA Returns as Sponsor for Clery Center 2024 Virtual Summit

For a second year in a row, the International Ombuds Association will be an official session sponsor of the Clery Center's Virtual Summit. This year's event will take place on September 12, 2024. IOA will sponsor a session, "Proactive Strategies for Responding to Campus Protests" (with presenters to be announced). The Clery Center is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping college and university officials meet the standards of the Jeanne Clery Act, which requires campuses to report information about crime. (NACMS Summit 2024.)

Job Posting: Unilever

The British multinational consumer goods company is hiring its first Global Ombuds Lead. Based in Kingston at the Unilever headquarters southwest of London, the position will establish a program for employees and other stakeholders with workplace concerns. It is not clear from the posting how large the program will become, but the company employs 128,000 people in dozens of countries. Travel is expected.

Orange County Schools Names First Ombuds

The Board of Education for the public school district in Hillsborough, North Carolina, named Franklin McCune as its first Employee Ombuds and Board Specialist, effective August 19, 2024. (Orange County is also home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.) In this new role, McCune will provide services to nearly 2,000 employees and give upward feedback to the Superintendent and Board. He will practice to IOA standards. 

University of New Mexico Selects Associate Ombuds

Last November, Heidi Ricci was hired as an Associate Ombuds with the UNM Ombuds Office. She joined Ombuds, JoEllen Ransom, CO-OP; Senior Associate Ombuds, Anne Lightsey, CO-OP; and Graduate Assistant Ombuds, Aasma Batool. Ricci adds Ombuds duties to her on-going work as a University Lecturer in the Communication & Journalism Department.

Chevron Ombuds to Speak at International Ombud Expo 2024 in Botswana

Sana Manjeshwar, the Global Ombuds Manager for Chevron, will be a featured speaker at the International Ombud Expo 2024 this week in Botswana. She present virtually with Ombuds from other sectors on “Advancing the Role and Impact of the Organizational Ombuds in Africa.” Also, the International Ombuds Association has stepped up as a sponsor for the conference. (LinkedIn; International Ombud Expo.)

Job Posting: University of Nevada Las Vegas

The large public research university in Nevada will expand its Ombuds Office with the hiring of a full-time Assistant Ombuds/Program Manger. The new position will report to UNLV's Ombuds, David G. Schwartz, who has run the program single-handedly since 2021, serving 35,000 campus stakeholders. The job will manage business operations for the Ombuds Office's and also provide Ombuds services to individual visitors and groups.

Job Posting: Western University of Health Sciences

The private medical university in Pomona, California, has opened a search for its first Ombudsperson. The full-time position will established a program to serve the entire campus community, including 3,700 students and over 2,000 employees. The Ombuds will report to the President and practice to IOA standards. Some travel to WesternU's campus in Lebanon, Oregon, is required. 

Northwestern University Adds an Associate Ombuds

Kamaria B. Porter has been hired as the first Associate Ombudsperson for the private research university north of Chicago. She will expand Northwestern's Office of the Ombudsperson and report directly to the University Ombuds, Sarah Klaper. Porter is expected to provide Ombuds services to faculty, staff, and students following IOA standards.

World Wildlife Fund Selects Next Ombuds

Susana Rodriguez has been appointed the Ombudsperson for WWF, the global conservation. She follows Gina Barbieri, who established the role in 2021. Rodriguez reports to the WWF Director General and International Board, and serves internal and external stakeholders. According to an announcement from WWF, she will take the Ombuds program "from its foundational design to its operational phase."

Meet the Ombuds for the National Association for Business Economics

Robyn B. Klinger has been appointed is the inaugural Ombuds for NABE, the international association for applied economics. (A webpage for an upcoming symposium says that NABE "recently retained" Klinger and the Terms of Reference is dated July 10, 2024; Klinger's LinkedIn profile, however, indicates that she has been serving in the role since 2019.) The NABE Ombuds serves the entire NABE community, including employees, conference participants, and other event attendees, and generally practices to IOA standards. 

USOA Elects 2024 Leadership

The United States Ombudsman Association announced its new Board of Directors and Chapter leaders. Directors serve two year terms and are elected by voting members of the Association. The new members of the Board are:

Job Posting: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

The polytechnic institute in Calgary, Alberta is hiring a full-time Ombudsperson. The position, which was established by Kamini Bernard in 2021, provides services to all members of the SAIT campus community, a population of nearly 15,000. The SAIT Ombuds reports to the Vice President of External Relations and receives advice and direction from the Ombudsperson Leadership Committee, which includes student representatives.

Alameda County District Attorney Appoints First Ombuds

Pamela Y. Price, the District Attorney for Alameda County, California, has created an Ethical Ombudsperson Office and appointed Assistant District Attorney Kwixuan Maloof to the role. Price, who is facing a recall vote in November, said that the Ombuds would reinforce her commitment to transparency and accountability. Maloof is continuing as ADA and thus would be a collateral duty Ombuds and will report to Price. This appears to be the first Ombuds program within a prosecutor's office in the U.S.

European Southern Observatory Selects Experienced Ombuds

After an extended, international search, Tahirih Varner has been appointed the next Ombuds for the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere. She follows Camilo Azcarate, who established the position in 2019. Although ESO is headquartered near Munich, the position is primarily based in Santiago, with frequent visits to various observatories in Chile and at least three months per year in Munich.

Environment and Climate Change Canada Appoints Next Ombuds

Environment Canada (Environnement et Changement climatique Canada) has confirmed Susie Roussel as its Ombuds. She leads an office of about six and provides services to 7,000 federal employees that oversee environmental policies and programs. She follows ECCC's inaugural Ombuds, Corinne Boudreault.

COFO 2024 Annual Conference: Call for Presentations

The Coalition of Federal Ombuds is now accepting proposals to present at its 2024 Annual Conference on Friday, October 25, 2024. The conference will be a hybrid event, with an in-person conference in Alexandria, Virginia, and a virtual component. COFO is soliciting proposals for both virtual and in-person presentations. 

Job Posting: Virginia Tech

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the public research university in Blacksburg, will expand its Ombuds Office with the hiring of its first Associate Ombuds. The position will report to the Director & University Ombuds, Reese Ramos, and provide services to all campus stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and students. This is not a remote position, but is eligible for a telework/hybrid schedule.

University of Washington Associate Ombud Retires

Ruthy Kohorn Rosenberg, an experienced and highly respected Ombuds, has announced her intention to retire in August. She was the inaugural University Ombuds for Brown and served in that position from 2012-2020. She has spent the last four years as an Associate Ombud at the University of Washington.

Job Posting: University of Cincinnati

The public research university in Ohio is hiring an Associate Ombuds. The position reports to (now permanent) Ombuds, Jivanto P. van Hemert. The position provides services to about 60,000 students, staff, and faculty. The job posting explains that the Ombuds office is confidential and practices to IOA standards, except for matters within the scope of Title IX.

St. Johns River State College Creates Ombuds Program

Earlier this year, the public college in Northeast Florida unveiled a webpage for its new Student Support Ombuds Office. Iana Harris was appointed the inaugural Student Support Ombudsman for over 10,000 students across three campuses. According to the website, Harris can assist students with a wide range of academic and nonacademic matters, explaining: "The ombuds engages proactively with students to empower them to succeed at SJR State and beyond." 

Meet the Ombuds at the University of Lisbon

Maria Fernanda Oliveira was appointed the Student Ombudsman for Universidade de Lisboa in February 2022. She provides assistance with academic matters and serves a student body of 48,000 at the largest university in Portugal. She was appointed to a a four-year term by the General Council of the University. 

Webinar: Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds Outlines her Role

Last week, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s offered a webinar featuring its inaugural Ombuds, Anna Thorstenson. She outlined her background and general mandate. through the end of 2024. Most of her remarks are about how she works with the unique concerns of athletes within the complex system of international competition and she also fielded questions. (YouTube.)

Cal Caucus Releases Agenda for 2024 Conclave

Registration is now open for the 51st California Caucus of College and University Ombuds. Set for November 10-13 at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, the theme will be “Piloting Stormy Seas to Safe Waters.” Unlike most professional conferences, attendees eat meals and participate in all sessions together. The event has sold out quickly in recent years.

Job Posting: U.S. Antarctic Program

The U.S. National Science Foundation's Office of Polar Programs is seeking its first Ombudsperson. As the Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics Section Program Liaison, the Ombuds will serve all USAP participants. The job requires travel to all program stations and vessels annually. In addition the USAP Ombuds will develop a training program, and "support the implementation of the Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response program." 

California State University Channel Islands Closes Ombuds Office

The public university in Ventura, California, abruptly closed its Ombuds Office this week. An announcement on the website for the office states: "We regret to announce that as of July 10, 2024, our Ombuds office has permanently closed." Mark Patterson established the office in July 2019, initially seeing only employees and later expanding the service to students in 2022. He had previously served as the Ombuds for the College of William & Mary. Patterson is active in the Ombuds community and was elected to the IOA Board of Directors in 2022. 

Community College of Denver Adopts Best Practices for Ombuds

Crystal D. Hernandez has served as the Student Support Ombudsperson for CCD since 2021. A new website for her office adopts a new title, "Student Ombuds," and makes it clear that her role is confidential, impartial, informal, and independent. The community college with three campuses in the Denver metro area enrolls over 8,000 students. 

Leiden University Names New Student Ombuds

In May 2024, Lonneke Hulst was hired as a Student Ombudsperson at Universiteit Leiden. She joins Eugène van der Heijden, who has served as Student Ombuds since 2015. Together, they serve 33,000 enrolled students at the oldest university in the Netherlands.

Introducing the Student Ombuds at the University of Zagreb Law School

In May 2023, Roko Roglić was appointed the Student Ombudsman for Pravnog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, the oldest continually-operating law school in Croatia. Roglic serves about 7,000 students at the school in Zagreb and was elected by the Student Union. He recently was renewed for a second, one-year term and is assisted by three deputies: Nika Bakula, Dora Bogdanović, Dora Dabac and Paola Jurković. Recently, his office adopted IOA standards of practice. (PFZG Studentski pravobranitelj.)

Job Re-Posting: Howard University

The private university in Washington, D.C. has reposted its opening for an inaugural Faculty Ombudsperson, a full-time position. Howard conducted similar searches in 2016, 2018, and earlier this year, but did not result in an appointment. The faculty handbook has included reference to a Faculty Ombuds Office since 2019 and stipulates that the position will be located within the Office of the President. 

Meet the Ombuds for the University of Rzeszów

In the last two years, Uniwersytet Rzeszowski in Poland has created two Ombuds programs. Jan Gałkowski was appointed the Academic Ombudsperson in June 2022. He serves all members of the community with conflicts related to academic work and practices to IOA standards. In June 2023, Wiktoria Bednarz was named the first Student Ombudsperson. She serves as a resource and advocate for about 20,000 students. (UR Academic Ombuds; Student Ombuds.) 

Canadian Military Names Interim Ombuds

Robyn Hynes has been appointed the Interim Ombuds for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. She follows Gregory Lick, who served in the positon since November 2018. Hynes will serve a one-year term through June 2025. Hynes has worked for the government for over 16 years in a variety of roles related to national defense. 

Journal of IOA Article Urges Ombuds to Employ Positive Psychology Tools

The latest peer-reviewed article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association proposes that Ombuds integrate aspects of positive psychology in their case work. Author Julie A. Muroff, CO-OP, holds a Master's degree in Applied Positive Psychology. She is the inaugural Ombuds Director at Janelia Research Campus/Howard Hughes Medical Institute and previously was the Acting Ombudsman/Director of the Center for Cooperative Resolution at the National Institutes of Health. She was also recently elected to the IOA Board of Directors.

Leiden University Medical Center Appoints First Ombuds

In January 2024, Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, the teaching hospital affiliated with Leiden University in the Netherlands, named Margot Snelders-Pouw as its first Ombudsfunctionaris. As the LUMC Ombuds, she serves as a confidential, independent, and neutral resource for employees, including PhD students. 

Canadian Government Compiles List of Federal Ombuds Offices

A new entry on GCwiki, a public wiki hosted by the Government of Canada, provides the most comprehensive list of Organizational Ombuds programs in the federal sector. A total of 50 different programs are listed and details include the name of the primary Ombuds and email.

As in the U.S., information about federal Ombuds is often not available to the general public. Moreover, some Ombuds with security clearances are private about their employment details. Therefore, many of these Ombuds and programs have not been mentioned previously in this blog.

Job Posting: University of Washington

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.

UN World Food Programme Selects Next Ombuds

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.

Job Re-Posting: World Health Organization, Philippines

WHO has reopened its search for a Regional Ombudsperson to be based in Manila. 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.

University of Massachusetts Amherst Hires MWI to Bridge Ombuds Office

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.

Update on Ombuds Transitions at Washington State University

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.

Virginia Institute of Marine Science Creates Ombuds Panel

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." 

Podcast: NGO Ombuds on the Impact of Incorrect Assumptions

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.