The Ombuds Blog: 2025

December 30, 2025

2025 Year in Review: The Key Stories

This last post of the year summarizes the most important developments affecting Organizational Ombuds in 2025. Many of the significant stories from 2024 continue to be relevant: the Canadian government continued to add Ombuds; practitioners continued to debate the pros and cons of external Ombuds services; and campus protests, especially in North America, continued to echo in casework. Meanwhile, the recognition of Ombuds by the U.S. Department of Education was undone and fears about losses under the Trump administration came true.

WHO Ombuds Reports on Systemic Issues During 2025 Organizational Transition

The World Health Organization’s Ombudsperson has released a report to the Executive Board outlining systemic issues observed in 2025 amid unprecedented budget cuts and organizational restructuring. (Robert Edelmann served as the WHO Ombuds until August 2025, but the report does not name the current Ombuds.) Drawing on confidential interactions across all levels of WHO, the report says the year was marked by uncertainty, reprioritization, and significant human impact.

Sicne being appointed as the Ombuds for Brock, Heather Bellisario has reoriented her office from a campus-wide resource to one focused exclusively on the needs of students. In her first report, Bellisario summarizes the changes and gives an overview of her casework. In the 2024-25 academic year, she handled 456 matters, with the vast majority coming from undergraduate students.

Next week, Wade C. Jacobsen will become the next Graduate Student Ombuds for the University of Maryland, College Park, the state's flagship public university. He follows Mark Sayman in the role and joins three other Ombuds who serve the campus: Faculty Ombuds, Karen M. O'Brien; Staff Ombuds, Mashanda Mosley; and Undergraduate Students Ombuds, Lisa Kiely.

2025 Year in Review: Transitions

This is the first post in the Ombuds Blog’s annual year-end summary of the Organizational Ombuds profession. This installment focuses on transitions in the field, beginning with a review of Ombuds who retired or passed away during the year, along with a recap of newly established and closed Ombuds programs. Another post reviewing other developments from the year will follow in the next week.

Philadelphia is hiring an Assistant Employee Ombudsperson. The full-time position will report to the inaugural Employee Ombudsperson, Shakeya Foreman., who has been building out an office for the past year. (This is the third posting for this position and it is unclear whether the prior searches in 2023 and 2024 were successful.) The full-time position will be responsible for responding to city employees with workplace issues case management, data collection, and administrative tasks. The work will be hybrid with some in-office days.

AI and the Humanizing Role of the Organizational Ombuds

A new article in Conflict Resolution Quarterly addresses the role of Ombuds and the effects of AI. Brian Green, the Associate Ombuds and Director of Programs at Emory University is the author of "Artificial Intelligence, Bureaucratic Dehumanization, and the Organizational Ombuds." He argues that Ombuds should approach AI cautiously and critically, viewing it through their core function as humanizers within organizational systems.

Job Posting: Peralta Community College District

PCCD, the community college system serving Alameda County, is recruiting an Organizational Ombuds (District) based in Oakland, California. This is a full-time position reporting directly to the Chancellor that will serve faculty, staff, and students across the district’s four colleges following IOA standards. In addition, the Ombuds will oversee a Peer Conflict Services Program.

Rennée Lamontagne has been appointed the new Ombuds for Relations Couronne-Autochtones et des Affaires du Nord Canada, Canada's department for northern lands and territories. She reports to the Deputy Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and follows Jeremy Ames, who served in the role for just over two years. As Ombuds, Lamontagne serves as a confidential, neutral, and informal resource to facilitate the resolution of work-related concerns for approximately 2,000 employees.

Bill Angrick: Former IOI & USOA President

William P. "Bill" Angrick II, a leading Classical Ombuds, passed away on December 11, 2025, at the age of 80. Angrick's Ombuds career began in 1978, when he was appointed by the Iowa legislature as the state's Ombudsman. He retired in 2010 after more than three decades in the job. He served as President of both the United States Ombudsman Association (1981 to 1983) and the International Ombudsman Institute (2004 to 2009).

Chuck Doran is the most recent guest on the Blessed Be Podcast. (He is the third Ombuds to be featured on the pod. Hosts Robert Polanco and Dawn Sander say that, "This episode is especially valuable if you’re early in your career or if you’re mentoring others and want to pass on wisdom that goes beyond technique."

Job Posting: NOLA Public Schools

The public school district for Orleans Parish, Louisiana, is hiring an Ombuds to support families of students with disabilities across 68 district-run and charter schools. This is a full-time, on-site position reporting to the Executive Director of Diverse Learner Support. The Ombuds will serve as a neutral and independent resource for families, addressing concerns related to special education services, discipline, and enrollment, and assisting families in navigating district and charter school systems.

New Report Outlines Reforms for UN Ombuds Network

The United Nation's Joint Inspection Unit has published a system-wide review of Ombuds and mediation functions, finding measurable progress since 2015 but persistent gaps in independence, access, and resourcing. The report notes expanded mandates, increased professionalization, and the establishment of new Ombuds offices, as well as the coordinating role of the Network of United Nations System Ombudsman and Mediators. At the same time, many UN agency Ombuds still lack up-to-date terms of reference, consistent reporting to governing bodies, and sufficient staffing or regional presence. The review highlights concerns about structural independence (including the use of short-term contracts, limited staff involvement in hiring, and uneven authority over resources) and underscores the impact of these constraints on service quality and trust.

National Capital Commission Announces New Ombuds Team

Brent Epperson, Julie Boncompain, and Heather McGhee Peggs, have been appointed the Ombuds for Commission de la capitale nationale, the Canadian Crown corporation that administers the federally properties in the National Capital Region. Their services will be provided under contract with their consulting company, JustEquitable Inc.

Meet the Ombuds for Virginia Health Sciences

For the past two years, Linda R. Archer has served as the GME Ombudsperson for the Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (commonly known as Virginia Health Sciences). In this role, she provides Ombuds services to residents and fellows with training-related concerns. (For a few years starting in 2021, Diane Holland served as the quarter-time Ombuds for Eastern Virginia Medical School, which later merged into Virginial Health Sciences. She continues as Director Of Organizational Development, Training & Ombudsperson for Old Dominion.)

ACVIM Creates Ombuds Program for Veterinary Residents

According to a new webpage, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (the international certifying organization for veterinary specialists), has created an Ombuds program to serve residents in training and post-residency candidates pursuing certification. A committee of Ombuds follows IOA standards and can assist with residents with concerns about a Residency Training Program or a the ACVIM Board-certification process.

Han Warmelink, the Ombuds Officer for Universiteit Twente in Enschede, Netherlands, reports that he assisted 44 staff members in 2024-25, compared to around 35 in the prior year. In addition, eight students found their way to his office.

In his report, he also offers some insight on his work at UT and the status of Ombuds at other Dutch universities:

Job Posting: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

The multilateral development bank based in Beijing has opened a search for a (Senior) Ombuds Services Officer. Louisa Tsang has held the position since November 2021. The position reports to the AIIB Ombudsperson, Philip Beauregard, and, in addition to providing Ombuds services, also manages the bank's Respectful Workplace Advisor program.

The public research university in Iowa City has again reopened its search for an Assistant Ombuds. (This is the third posting.) Qualifications for the position have not changed. The part-time position will serve faculty, staff and students, including all of UI Healthcare. The Assistant Ombuds will report to University Ombudsperson, Chanelle Reese, and join an office that includes Assistant Ombuds, Corey P. Pass, and Faculty Ombuds, Meenakshi Gigi Durham.

The Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution at Saint Paul University in Ottawa seeks presenters for its annual symposium set for May 11-12, 2026. This year, the theme is, "Navigating Crises: The Evolving Role of ADR Practitioners and Ombuds in Turbulent Times." The keynote speaker will be Bernie Mayer. The hybrid virtual and in-person event will bring together students, practitioners, researchers, and faculty in conflict resolution.

European Investment Bank Names First Ombuds

Balint Balassa has been appointed the inaugural Ombuds for the European Investment Bank. Reporting directly to the President of the EIB, Balassa will provide confidential services to 5,000 staff members in the bank’s Luxembourg headquarters, local offices within the EU, and external offices around the world. He assumed the role on October 1, 2025.

Call for Session Proposals: ENOHE 2026 Conference

The European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education seeks presenters for its 21st annual conference to be hosted by AGH University of Krakow on June 10-12, 2026. The theme for the conference is, "New Developments in a Maturing Profession: Ombuds Skills and AI." Organizers have issued a call for papers and proposals.

Full details from ENOHE:

White Paper Urges Use of Gender-Neutral 'Ombuds'

A working paper from Dragana Ćorić at the Faculty of Law in Novi Sad (Pravni fakultet Univerziteta u Novom Sadu) in Serbia examines the relevance of naming for the Ombuds profession. Corcic argues that gender-sensitive terminology is a vital mechanism for achieving gender equality by reflecting and driving social change. She asserts that the move to from 'Ombudsman' to 'Ombuds' is a significant of this linguistic shift reflecting broader progress in human rights principles. Although the focus is on Classical Ombuds, Corci cites materials from IOA and the UC Berkely Ombuds Office, and articles by David Rasch and David Schwartz.

Job Posting: Bridgewater State University

BSU, the largest of nine state universities in Massachusetts, is hiring its first permanent University Ombuds. The search will fill a role held on an initial and interim basis by Pam Russell since May 2024. The new Ombuds will report to the University’s president and practice to IOA standards, providing confidential, impartial, and informal services to faculty and staff.

Stony Brook's health science and medical campus is seeking its first dedicated Ombudsman. The new position will supplement the work of Donna Buehler, who has served as the University Ombuds since 2014. The full-time Ombuds will practice to IOA standards and provide services to all stakeholders of Stony Brook Medicine.

The Texas community college system has reposted its opening for a part-time Ombuds. It appears that the new position will report to Michael Edwards, who restarted the HCC Ombuds Office in early 2025. The part-time position will serve all constituents across multiple campuses, including over 52,000 students. The search first opened in August and the application requirements have not changed. .

Guest Post: Reese Ramos on the Impact of AI

In this special post, Reese Ramos, the University Ombuds & Director at Virginia Tech, offers his perspective on the growing impact of AI on Ombuds work. I deeply appreciate and respect his insights on the Ombuds profession.

Here is his full essay:

Article Examines Role of Slovenia's Athlete Ombuds

An article in the current issue of the International Sports Law Journal discusses the role of Athlete Rights Ombudsman for the Slovenian Olympic Committee, "The Athletes’ Ombudsman: integrating autonomous and heteronomous regulations for athlete protection." The author, Rožle Prezelj, urges greater emphasis on the Athletes’ Ombudsman as a legally grounded bridge between sports-organization rules and national law, arguing that this role is essential for advancing and safeguarding athletes’ rights.

Medical University of South Carolina Appoints First Ombuds

Kristin Lee Campbell has been appointed the Ombuds for faculty and post-doctoral fellows at the small private medical school in Charleston. She follows John Waller, who established the program in 2012. Campbell recently joined the faculty at MUSC faculty as an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics.

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and Osgoode Professional Development are offering their intensive program on advanced Ombuds practice in April 2026. The course building on the success of the Osgoode/FCO Certificate – Essentials for Ombuds, this program is designed to teach skills for complex challenges and provides hands-on learning with leading experts and real-world case studies.

ACCUO Posts 2025 Conference Agenda

The Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons (Association des ombudsmans des universités et collèges du Canada) has announced published the agenda for its 2025 conference: "Moving Forward, Never Backward." The free, half-day, online event is set for tomorrow, November 21, 2025, and is aimed at "higher education ombuds professionals from across Canada and beyond."

PCCD, which operates four community colleges in Northern California (Berkeley City College, Laney College, Merritt College, and College of Alameda) is expected to open a search for its first Ombuds. At a meeting earlier this week, the district's board of trustees unanimously approved the new, classified management position. Details regarding the search for the inaugural Ombuds are forthcoming. (PCCD Board Agenda, Consent Item 8.5, YouTube at 38:23.)

November 17, 2025

Job Posting: Berea College

The highly ranked, private liberal arts college in Kentucky has opened a search for its first Ombudsperson. The full-time position will serve faculty and staff (not the 1,500 students) following IOA standards and report to the college president.

In June 2024, Sam Vandekerckhove joined the Ombuds Office at Waterloo as an Associate Ombuds. He reports to Whitney Barrett and serves at the initial point of contact the program that serves over 43,000 students across multiple campuses.

UdeS has released the 2024–25 annual report from Student Ombudsman, Marie-Claude Laquerre, and Deputy Ombudsman, Stephanie McFarland. The office received 402 new requests, including 160 related to access-to-information issues. Student requests increased 16% from the prior year, while staff requests declined 6%. Most student matters involved evaluation, enrollment, or unclear criteria, and 78% were consultations rather than formal interventions.

Wake County Public School System Issues RFI for Ombuds Services

WCPSS, a public school district in North Carolina, has issued a request for information for Ombuds services. The announcement indicated that the large school district had given up on its recent search for an employee to serve as its first Ombuds. The RFI is intended only "to survey the market for information ... for Ombuds Services."

The International Ombuds Association is offering scholarships to its 2026 Annual Conference, which will take place virtually on April 13-15, 2026. The application window closes January 22, 2026. The initiative supports new and aspiring Ombuds who lack organizational or institutional funding to attend. Applicants must be IOA members with less than one year of organizational Ombuds practice.

PWCS in Virginia has issued the 2024–25 annual report from its Office of the Ombuds. Monique “Mo” Bookstein and Ombuds Specialist Rosamaria Manzines recorded 368 cases, a 15% increase from the prior year. The annual report uses IOA reporting categories and this year added a new case type, “Educational Partners,” to better classify school-related concerns.

Florida Institute of Technology Names Ombuds

The private research university in Melbourne, Florida, has appointed its first members of a Faculty Ombuds Committee: Albert Bleakley, Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineering; Kenia Nunes, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Science; and Suzanne Kozaitis, Associate Librarian. All will serve an initial three-year term. In addition, Florida Tech also appointed Kristen Nelson as its next Student Ombuds in the summer of 2024. She follows Rebecca Crook in the part-time role.

Colorado's flagship public university seeks applications for a part-time Faculty Ombuds. The CU Boulder Ombuds Office currently has two Faculty Ombuds, Yem Fong and Jerry Hauser, who primarily work with faculty, researchers, and graduate students. The position is open only to retired faculty. Tenure and conflict resolution training are preferred. The nine-month, 0.30 FTE, hybrid appointment will pay $59,639 annually and applications are due by November 21, 2025. (CU Posting.)

According to an article in the Queen's University Journal, the faculty union has raised concerns about a perceived conflict in the Office of the University Ombudsperson. The Queen’s University Faculty Association does not name the Ombuds in its statement (which is not publicly available), but points out that she is married to a senior university administrator. QUFA also has concerns about the Ombuds' reporting structure, which changed in 2023 from the University Secretariat to the Vice-Principal of Culture, Equity, and Inclusion.

Just two weeks after she was appointed as the Ombuds for the U.S. Department of Energy lab in Long Island, New York, Brooke Wichmann has been laid off "due to changes in leadership and funding." She had been selected after a 20-month search to restart the Ombuds program at Brookhaven and bring it up to IOA standards. (LinkedIn.)

Michigan State University Adds an Assistant Ombuds

Stefanie Janes has joined the Ombuds Office at MSU. As the second, full-time Assistant Ombuds, her appointment marks the expansion of a program that serves all members of a large, public university. Janes reports to the University Ombudsperson, Shannon Lynn Burton, and join Assistant Ombudsperson, Ryan T. Smith.

Jacqueline Villafañe will serve as an interim Ombuds for faculty and staff at LMU, the private Jesuit university in Los Angeles, while Johnny Armijo fulfills an active duty requirement with the Air Force Reserve from October 2025 through May 2026. Villafane is a current member of the IOA Board of Directors and has also been an Ombuds for the American Red Cross, The MacArthur Foundation, and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, among other organizations. (LMU Newsroom.)

Canada's Organizational Ombuds Council Document Guides Practice for Federal Ombuds

In July 2020, OOC (Conseil des ombuds organisationnels) issued "Standards of Practice for Organizational Ombuds of the Federal Public Service." These standards are designed to be "consistent with those of the International Ombudsman Association (IOA) and the Coalition of the Federal Ombudsman of the United States to guide the organizational ombuds practice within the Federal Public Service." This document is therefore another crucial, foundational document that supports and defines work of Organizational Ombuds.

Job Posting: United Nations, Jordan

The United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services is hiring a Regional Ombudsman for its office in Amman. The position will serve the UN Relief and Works Agency and its staff in locations assisting Palestinian refugees. The position is contracted for five years and is not renewable.

KP is hiring a full-time HealthCare Ombuds/Mediator for its medical facilities in San Rafael, California. The Kaiser HCOM, "functions as a trained alternative dispute professional offering patients, family members, staff & providers a conflict management program to resolve patient/provider healthcare disputes early thereby improving patient safety & reducing the costs of health care dispute resolution." Local travel is required.

Natalie Sharpe, Director of the Office of the Student Ombuds, has released an report covering the 2024–25 academic year. The OSO assisted 1,870 students during the period—1,657 undergraduates and 195 graduate students, including postdoctoral fellows and medical residents. The office reported more than 21,000 contacts and meetings, marking continued high demand for confidential and impartial support.

Job Posting: University of New Mexico

The public research university in Albuquerque is hiring an Associate Ombuds. The full-time position will join an office that provides services to UNM staff, faculty supervising staff and their co-workers, and graduate students. The office currently includes Ombuds, JoEllen Ransom; Senior Associate Ombuds, Anne Lightsey; and Associate Ombuds, Heidi Ricci.

Donna M. Bishop, who established the Ombuds office at Northeastern University, passed on September 29, 2025, at the age of 78. Bishop was a full professor of criminology and criminal justice when she was tapped to create an Ombuds program for campus employees in 2011. She served as the Ombuds for six years. Her teaching career also included faculty positions at the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida. In addition, she was an active volunteer with Covenant Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, Florida, the Alachua County Crisis Center, and the American Cancer Society. (Conte Obituary.)

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