Job Posting: Austrian Student Ombuds Office

Austria's national Student Ombuds Office (Ombudsstelle für Studierende), is hiring a full-time position in Vienna. Duties include receiving and processing student concerns, contributing to the annual activity report, liaising with ombudsmen in national and international networks, and planning and organizing office events. This is a temporary position to cover a colleague's parental leave and will report to the head of the office, Anna-Katharina Rothwangl.

Article Examines Collateral and Outsourced Ombuds Through Lens of IOA Ethical Standards

Kristen Blankely is the author of a forthcoming article in the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution, "Dispute Resolution Tradeoffs in Ombuds Office Design." Blankley, a Professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law, evaluates the design considerations of three types of Organizational Ombuds: the traditional Ombuds, an employee with no other duties; "Collateral duty Ombuds," an employee with other, unrelated duties; and "Outsourced Ombuds," external, contracted providers. Blankley spoke on some of these issues at the Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution conference in March 2024. 

Job Posting: University of California Davis

The UC Davis Ombuds Office has reopened its search for an Associate Ombuds (Ombudsperson 4). The revised search will offer a two-year contract position instead of the original offer of a permanent position. In all other aspects, the position is unchanged. The full-time job will be based at UC Davis Health in Sacramento with some hybrid, from-home possibilities. The position reports to Director, Lauren Bloom, CO-OP, and joins Lindsey Ensor, Senior Associate Ombuds, CO-OP, Jenny Vaccari, Associate Ombuds, CO-OP, and Katie Ranney, Assistant Ombuds. 

Journal of IOA: Self-Determination Theory for Ombuds Work

Julie A. Muroff, CO-OP, has published a second article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association. The Ombuds Director at Janelia Research Campus/Howard Hughes Medical Institute offers further guidance for Ombuds seeking to implement aspects of positive psychology into their work with visitors. The full article, "From Conflict to Connection: Continuing to Explore the What, Why, and How of Positive Psychology for Ombuds" is available online.

Job Posting: University of Michigan

Michigan has opened a search for a Student Ombudsperson. The full-time position serves more than 50,000 students following IOA standards. Tom Lehker has served in the role for over 15 years. The hybrid position is based on the UM campus in Ann Arbor and reports to the Vice President for Student Life.

University of Waterloo Ombuds Sets Conduct Standards for Visitors

Whitney Barrett, the recently appointed Ombudsperson for Waterloo, has published guidelines for visitors. A new webpage outlines expectations for respectful communication and behavior. Visitors who do not follow the guidance, may be cut off from Ombuds services. 

Update: Lawsuit Seeks Restoration of Immigration Ombudsman Offices

Yesterday, several human rights advocacy organizations filed suit challenging the Trump administration’s decision last month to close DHS’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman Office, and Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman. The lawsuit is demanding the restoration of these key DHS oversight offices. (Democracy Forward.)

Job Posting: United Nations, New York

The Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS) is seeking a trilingual Consultant for Conflict Resolution. The fully-remote position will report to the Regional Ombudsman in New York and provide Ombuds services to UN employees for six months.

Job Posting: UVA Health

The University of Virginia Health System is seeking its first Ombuds. The new full-time position will report to the University Ombuds, Amanda Monaco, and practice to IOA standards. The Health Ombuds will provide services to about 13,000 faculty, staff, residents, postdocs, and students in the schools of medicine and nursing in Charlottesville and locations across the state. In addition, the Health Ombuds will also serve as the primary facilitator and trainer for the UVA University Ombuds Office. The position is eligibility for hybrid or flexible scheduling and the start date is (ideally) early summer 2025. 

Journal Article on Role of Scientific Ombuds

The latest issue of the German language journal Personal in Hochschule und Wissenschaft entwickeln (Developing Personnel in Higher Education and Science) includes an article about the work of Scientific Ombuds: "Die Verflechtung von Ombudswesen, Organisationskultur und Personalentwicklung" (Strengthening Ombudsman Work: The Interrelationship of Ombudsman Services, Organizational Culture, and Human Resources Development). The authors are Hjördis Czesnick, Head of the head of Office of the Ombuds Committee for Research Integrity in Germany, and Katrin Frisch, Scientific Officer in the same office. 

IOA Board Elects 2025 Leadership

The Board of Directors for the International Ombuds Association has announced the election of its officers for the 2025 term. All are long-time volunteers and professional Ombuds. The IOA Board meets at least monthly, with more meetings for the executive leadership.

San Francisco State to Hire Next Ombuds

San Francisco State University has opened an internal search for its next Director of Strategic Initiatives and University Ombudsman. The search will fill a position held most recently by Theodore Albiniak, who is Ombudsperson for UC Law San Francisco. The full-time position has "three interrelated roles: serving as the University Ombuds, leading strategic initiatives, and managing community relations efforts." The position reports jointly to the Offices of the President and University Advancement.

Rutgers Expands Ombuds-Like Service for Staff

Cherekana Feliciano has joined the Employee Partners for Conflict Transformation (EmPaCT) Office at Rutgers University as an Associate Conflict Navigation Specialist. She will work with Frieda Hoffman, the inaugural Conflict Navigation Specialist, providing services to university staff that generally follow IOA standards. Meanwhile, Rutgers has existing Ombuds programs for students and medical trainees.

Job Posting: Ombudsman's Committee for Scientific Integrity in Germany

Ombudsgremium für die wissenschaftliche Integrität in Deutschland (OWID) is hiring a Deputy Head of Office based in Berlin. The full-time, permanent position will handle cases and concerns related to scientific practice and integrity in higher education, and assist with managing staff and volunteer Ombuds. The position reports to Hjördis Czesnick, the Head of the OWID Office. 

IOA Announces 2025 Distinguished Emeriti

This week, the International Ombuds Association recognized three retired members as Distinguished Emeriti. The award comes from peer nominations and is given only to retired Ombuds with a record of significant service. 

This year the honor was given to:

Job Posting: Central State University

The public land-grant university in Wilberforce, Ohio (the state's only HBCU), is has reopened its search for a Director of the Office of Student Ombuds. Reporting to the President's Chief of Staff, the Ombuds will serve about 5,500 enrolled students. In February, CSU announced that Jonathan Hairston had been hired for the position. An updated website for the office no longer includes his name.

Call for Participants: Ombuds in Higher Education

The European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education is updating a landmark survey. In 2017, ENOHE published a monograph by Rob Behrens, "Being an Ombudsman in Higher Education." The document has been cited many times by ENOHE and elsewhere, and it is now due for an update. ENOHE is inviting participants to complete a questionnaire to map the strength and diversity of Ombuds in higher education in Europe and beyond.

Meet the Ombuds for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

In November 2021, Lori LaBrie was appointed the inaugural Ombuds for TRS of Texas, the sixth largest public pension fund in the U.S. She provides services to TRS members and retirees with benefits issues and practices to IOA standards. 

Minnesota Legislature Proposes Ombuds for Homeowners Associations

The Minnesota House of Representatives approved an omnibus budget bill that includes language to create a new Ombuds to facilitate disputes between residents and homeowner associations. Unlike HOA Ombuds in other states, the Minnesota proposal does not grant the Ombuds investigatory powers. Other features echo standards used by Organizational Ombuds, including independence, informality, trend reporting, and dispute resolution expertise.

Job Posting: University of Western Ontario

The public research university in London, Ontario, is hiring an Associate Ombudsperson. In addition to Ombuds work the position will also be responsible for "key operational functions" (e.g. coordinating financial processes, managing appointment scheduling, and overseeing front-line communications). The position will report to the the Acting Ombudsperson, Joan Finegan. and and join Associate Ombuds, Stephanie Bolingbroke.

IOA Bestows 2025 President's Awards

Last week, the International Ombuds Association Board President, Sarah Klaper, announced the 2025 President’s Award. The recipients were:

IOA Publishes Long-Awaited Ombuds Book

The International Ombuds Association has published its first book: The Organizational Ombuds: Foundations, Fundamentals & The Future. Written by practicing Ombuds, the book offers a thorough and current overview of the profession. Edited by Shannon L. Burton (Ombuds at Michigan State University) and Loraleigh Keashly (Professor of Communication at Wayne State University), the book is a comprehensive compilation of the interdisciplinary and nuanced history, theory and practices found within the field.

American Educational Research Association Adds a Conference Ombuds

Kamaria B. Porter will join Shannon Lynn Burton as Ombuds for AERA's annual conference, April 23-27, 2025. The professional association for academic researchers implemented an Ombuds program for conference attendees, staff, exhibitors, vendors, and others in 2019. Porter is Porter is the Associate Ombuds at Northwestern University and a long-time AERA annual meeting attendee. Burton is the University Ombudsperson at Michigan State University and was one of two inaugural Ombuds for AERA. (AERA Newsroom.)

IOA Elects 2025 Board of Directors

At its annual conference last week, the International Ombuds Association announced the results of its latest election for the Board of Directors. One new board member was voted onto the board after an unprecedented run-off election in early April. The new board member and four reelected incumbents for three-year terms starting after following the IOA Annual Meeting on 16 April 2025.

University of California Santa Barbara Selects an Associate Ombuds

In September 2025, Pati Montojo was joined the Ombuds team at UCSB as an Associate Ombuds. The filled a position vacated by Don Lubach and reports to the Campus Ombuds, Caroline Adams. Montojo will work with faculty, staff, and student visitors.

University of Utah Names Four Ombuds

The U of U has reopened its Office of the Ombuds with four collateral duty Ombuds: Karen M. Gunning, Clinical Professor of Pharmacotherapy and Associate Dean of Community Engagement; Patricia K. Kerig, Professor of Clinical Psychology; Maureen Murtaugh, Professor of Internal Medicine; and Trina G. Rich, Director of University & Academic Affairs Policy Administration. Together, they provide Ombuds services to students, trainees, faculty, post-doctoral fellows, staff, and other employees, including University of Utah Health. (Utah Ombuds.)

World Bank Retains a Consultant Ombuds

Diana Vermeul has been hired as an Ombuds Consultant with the World Bank Group. She joins four other Ombuds: Caroline Nekesa Wanyonyi in Bangkok, Thailand; Doris Cecilia Campos-Infantino in Washington, DC; Axel R. Peuker in Washington, DC; and Jules Baughns in Nairobi; Kenya. Vermeul moves into the position from the World Bank Respectful Workplace Advisors Program, where she has worked for the past two years. She received the IOA President's Award in 2024.

ABA Panel Aims to Inform Corporate Counsel About Ombuds

On May 14, 2025, the American Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section will offer a webinar on "The Organizational Ombuds – Why Your Company Needs One and What Counsel Should Know." The panel will feature Sana Manjeshwar, Global leader of Chevron´s Office of Ombuds, Steven Prevaux, Faculty Staff Ombuds at the University of South Florida, Mark C. Fava, Vice President and Ombudsman for The Boeing Company, and Chuck Doran, Executive Director of MWI.

SUNY Oneonta Debuts Ombuds Program

The State University of New York at Oneonta has unveiled an Office of the Ombudsman to serve faculty, staff, and students. Michael Kush, the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students has been named the inaugural Ombuds. The new program explicitly practices to IOA standards. 

University of Houston Names Next Staff/Faculty Ombuds

Arturo E. Hernandez has been appointed the next Ombudsperson for faculty and staff at the public research university in Texas. He follows Richard Bond, who served in the role since 2006 and supplements the work of& Funda Sahin, the Ombuds for graduate and professional students at the public research university in Texas.

Call for Proposals: Cal Caucus 2025

The California Caucus of College and University Ombuds is seeking speaker proposals for its annual in-person meeting. The unique and intimate caucus is set for November 9-12, 2025, at the rustic and historic Asilomar Conference Grounds. This year's theme is, "Finding Solid Ground in Shifting Sands." The deadline for proposals is May 2, 2025.

University of Maryland, Baltimore Names First Research Ombuds

Bruce K. Krueger has been appointed to the newly established position of Research Ombuds in the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Office of the Provost. Kreuger will provide Ombuds services to the UMB research community — including faculty, postdoctoral scholars, students, and staff — who may have concerns or questions regarding research misconduct and other research-related issues. His work will supplement that of Brian Godette, the long-time UMB Ombuds for faculty and staff.

Amsterdam UMC Selects Next Ombuds

Carolijn Winnubst was appointed the Ombudsman for Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra in August 2024. She follows Henny Krijnen, who served in the role for nearly five years. As the Ombuds, Winnubst heads a program that includes the Confidential Affairs office and provides services to UMC employees.

CIDR's 2025 Symposium is Loaded With Ombuds Sessions

The Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution at Saint Paul University in Ottawa has released the agenda for its second annual symposium and there are many sessions for and about Ombuds. Organized by two professors at USP: Brent Epperson and Jean-François Rioux, this year's theme is, "Building Better Workplaces: Toward Comprehensive Conflict Resolution Systems." 

Here is a list of the sessions relevant to Ombuds:

Call for Presenters: USOA 2025 Conference in Colorado

The United States Ombudsman Association is seeking speakers for its 44th annual conference set for October 22-24, in Vail, Colorado. Speakers should be interested in sharing their knowledge and experience relevant to the Public Sector Ombudsman profession and USOA membership is not required.

Hanyang University Creates Ombuds Program

HYU (한양대학교), the private research university in South Korea, has appointed its first Ombudspersons. The team of Ombuds will serve faculty, staff, and students at ERICA, the Education Research Industry Cluster in Ansan, located in Gyeonggi Province. According to an announcement, "Hanyang University ERICA explained that it established the Ombudsperson Office to enhance communication among its members and improve institutional practices, campus culture, and the overall environment, thereby creating a healthier campus." 

University of Groningen Names Interim Ombuds

Marianne Dijkhuizen has been appointed the interim Ombuds for Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, the public research university in the Netherlands. She follows the inaugural Ombuds, Carolijn Winnubst, who created the position in September 2021. Dijkhuizen continues as the Ombuds for NHL Hofeschool and previously worked as a contract Ombuds with De Vertrouwenspersoon B.V. for eight years. (UG Ombuds; LinkedIn.)

Insights From UN Ombuds on Sources of Conflict

Vassilena Gashparova, the Senior Conflict Resolution Officer and Ombudsman for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, is the author of an article in yesterday's UN Today. She offers her view on the anatomy of conflict, its hidden causes and complex realities. Gashparova considers five key forces as identified by Bernard Mayer which are central to conflict dynamics:

Job Posting: University of Washington

The University of Washington has opened a search for an Associate Ombud. (This office consistently uses "Ombud" rather than "Ombuds" following a recommendation from the university’s Scandinavian Language Department.) While the office supports the entire university community, including students, this position is focused on serving faculty, staff and leadership, and expected to work on 200-250 cases per year. The Associate Ombud will report to the University Ombud, Chuck Sloane, and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.