The Ombuds Blog: 2026

May 06, 2026

Job Posting: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

UTC is hiring its next University Ombuds, filling a position held by Anovia Slaughter since 2024. The office serves faculty and staff, and the role includes casework, outreach, and training responsibilities. The full-time position has a dual reporting structure: the Ombuds reports to the Office of the Chancellor through the Chief of Staff; and a secondary reporting relationship to the campus Human Resources Officer for education and training services.

Call for Proposals: Cal Caucus 2026

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 8-11, 2026, at the rustic and historic Asilomar Conference Grounds. This year's theme is, "The Grove & the Understory." The deadline for proposals is May 11, 202.

Boston University Adds an Associate Ombuds

Lailul Ikram was hired by the Ombuds Office at BU in July 2025, joining University Ombuds, Francine Montemurro, and Senior Associate Ombuds, Erin Wright.

Job Posting: Federal Reserve System

The governing board of the U.S. central bank is hiring an Assistant Ombuds in Washington, DC. This Executive Ombuds position: acts as facilitator for the fair and timely resolution of complaints related to the System’s regulatory activities; receives, reviews, and decides claims of retaliatory conduct by System staff; and reports to Board members and senior Board staff on issues that may have a significant impact on the System’s mission, activities, or reputation, including patterns of issues that occur in multiple complaints. In addition, there are collateral administrative duties. This is a hybrid position, with on-site cadence of about six times per month.

Central State University announced that Marc DeWitt, its Student Ombudsman and Director of the Office of the Student Ombudsman, passed unexpectedly last week. A longtime member of the campus community and alumnus, DeWitt had worked in higher education for more than two decades, including roles at Wright State University, Wilberforce University, and Sinclair Community College, before being appointed CSU Ombuds in November 2025.

New reporting by the student newspaper at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona provides additional detail about the termination of Mark Patterson and the closure of the Office of Conflict Resolution Services and Ombuds, which the university had not previously disclosed. Patterson, who had been appointed in 2025 as the inaugural Director of Conflict Resolution Services and Ombuds, said he was terminated in February during a meeting with senior administrators and was not given a reason for his dismissal as an at-will employee.

Toni Robinson: Former MIT Ombuds

Toni Robinson, a longtime Ombuds at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, died on April 18, 2026, at age 73. She served as Ombudsperson in the Office of the President for two decades before her retirement in 2017. Robinson was widely recognized for her impact across the Institute and received MIT’s Collier Medal in 2015, honoring her efforts to build trust and resolve concerns across a diverse campus community.

The large, research university in Ontario is hiring an Assistant Secretary of the Governing Council & Ombuds Officer, a position held by Miranda Edwards for the past year. The job has two roles and a dual reporting structure. The Assistant Secretary provides administrative support, advice, and information to the Governing Council on policies, precedents, and procedures for assigned boards and committees. In addition, the Ombuds position reports to the University Ombudsperson, Bruce Kidd, and serves as a primary contact for faculty, staff and students seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombudsperson.

Reece Ramos, the University Ombuds at Virginia Tech and founder of the Ombuds Academy is the guest this week on "Conflict Managed," a podcast hosted by Merry Brown. Ramos has been an Ombuds for 25 years and is a past president of IOA. In this podcast, he shares insights from his years of work as an Ombuds.

Job Posting: Asian Development Bank

The multilateral development bank headquartered in Manila is seeking a Senior Ombuds Programs Specialist for its Office of the Ombudsperson. The role provides Ombuds services to ADB’s internal community and contributes to training, outreach, and systemic analysis efforts. The position reports to the Ombudsperson, Anje Schubert, who was appointed last month to a three-year term.

The Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution at Saint Paul University in Ottawa has announced the agenda for its 2026 annual symposium. The hybrid virtual and in-person event, "Navigating Crises: The Evolving Role of ADR Practitioners and Ombuds in Turbulent Times," is set for May 11-12, a beautiful time of year in Ottawa.

Job Posting: Loudoun County Public Schools

The public school district in Northeast Virginia, is seeking its next Ombudsperson. The full-time position reports to the LCPS Chief of Staff and provides services to families, employees, and community members across the division. Carey Williams established the position in 2022. The Ombuds is described as a neutral and confidential resource but is also tasked with drafting formal complaint responses, advising on policy, and providing consultative services to administration. The starting date is "immediately."

Radboud Universiteit, the public research university in Nijmegen, Netherlands, has combined its Ombuds functions for students and employees following the departure of Job van Luyken, the Staff Ombuds. Aukje Verstegen, who has served as Student Ombuds since October 2023, will now handle both constituencies. The university does not plan to immediately recruit a replacement and will first review a national evaluation of the Ombuds role at Dutch universities, which may influence the future structure of the position.

Job Posting: Stellenbosch University

The public research university in South Africa's Western Cape province is seeking its next Ombud. Reporting directly to the University Council, the Ombud provides independent, impartial, confidential, and informal services to the entire campus, including over 32,500 enrolled students. The search will fill a position held by Rina Meyer since 2016. The position is a five-year fixed term, renewable once, with an anticipated start date of November 1, 2026.

German BioImaging Appoints First Ombuds

Gesellschaft für Mikroskopie und Bildanalyse e.V. (GerBI-GMB), the scientific society for light microscopy and image analysis across Germany, has appointed its first Ombudspersons for good scientific practice. Christian Feldhaus and Nina Schulze, were appointed at the 2026 General Assembly for three-year terms. The move follows the organization’s alignment with the German Research Foundation’s Code of Conduct and the adoption of internal Ombuds regulations as part of its governance framework.

The Central European Institute of Technology (Středoevropský technologický institut), a multidisciplinary research center based in Brno, Czech Republic, appointed Beáta Idesová as its PhD Ombudsperson in January of this year. She follows Katarína Rovenská in the role and provides peer-based, informal and confidential support for doctoral students with academic and workplace concerns. Idesová is completing her PhD in nanotechnology. (CEITEC News.)

Iowa's Office of the Ombudsperson reported 455 new visitor appointments for FY2025, with Professional & Scientific Staff making up 42% of visitors. The office is led by University Ombudsperson Chanelle Reese, with Faculty Ombudsperson Meenakshi Gigi Durham and Senior Assistant Ombudsperson Corey Pass. (Heather J. Erwin joined as a half-time Assistant Ombudsperson earlier this month.)

Canada's Auditor General Selects Next Ombuds

Alexandre St-Jean has been appointed the next Ombuds for Bureau du vérificateur général du Canada. He follows the inaugural Ombuds, Janet Campbell, who retired after six years in the role, and provides services to the department's 800 employees.

Lisa Crawford has joined the Office of the Ombudsman at HCC (previously known as Houston Community College). She joins Michael Edwards, who restarted the HCC Ombuds Office in early 2025. Together, they serve all constituents across multiple campuses, including over 52,000 students.

The county government in eastern Virginia is hiring a full-time “Assistant County Administrator/Organizational Ombuds.” Although the posting references the International Ombuds Association, the role combines Ombuds duties with senior executive responsibilities that appear incompatible with core Organizational Ombuds standards. The position leads the County’s business engagement and economic development efforts, including coordinating across departments, advising leadership on policy and strategy, guiding businesses through regulatory processes, and resolving stakeholder concerns. These responsibilities involve operational decision-making and advocacy for organizational interests, which conflict with the independence, neutrality, and informality expected of an Organizational Ombuds—even if the function were intended to be part-time.

Job Posting: Ombpoint

Australia’s "first independent workplace resolution service" (providing outsourced Ombuds services) is hiring an Indigenous Adviser for a part-time or casual engagement. The role is flexible in location, with a preference for Sydney. The position emphasizes applying commercial problem-solving skills to employee relations and human resources matters, supporting organizations in managing workplace issues and improving people practices.

IOA 2026 Trailblazer Award: Mary Rowe

At the conclusion of its annual conference today, the International Ombuds Association presented its Trailblazer Award to Mary Rowe. The IOA Board of Directors created the award in 2022 "for individuals who have devoted significant contributions to the organizational ombuds field over an extended period of time." Rowe was recognize for her work as a pioneer and one of the most influential Ombuds in the profession. Although she retired as an Ombuds in 2014, she continues to be active as a thought leader and the award was presented during her plenary remarks. (IOA Trailblazer.)

Job Posting: Frederick County Public Schools

The public K–12 system in Maryland with more than 47,000 students, is seeking its next Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombuds was established in 2019 by Sabrina Nail and provides confidential, independent, and informal assistance to students, families, employees, and community members. The position is expected to be filled by July 1, 2026.

IOA's Ombuds Release 2025 Annual Report

The International Ombuds Association's Ombuds, Laura C. Smythe and Tyler S. Smith, reported increased engagement in 2025, handling 33 cases and 51 individual visits, up from 16 cases and 35 visits in 2024. They noted that many interactions followed the IOA Annual Conference, underscoring the role of in-person events in surfacing concerns. Most visitors were affiliated with academic institutions and had between two and ten years of experience. Cases were split between IOA-related concerns and issues arising in members’ home institutions.

In February 2025, Lauren Manning Salomon became the second Ombuds for the public healthcare system for Harris County, Texas, joining the Managing Ombuds Director, Jai McBride-Calloway. Salomon assisting in providing Ombuds services to over 7,000 HHS employees across three hospitals and affiliated clinics. She has been with the health care provider since 2019 and has held positions Manager of Talent & Workforce Strategies, Talent Program Manager, and Senior Organizational Development Consultant.

University of Colorado Boulder Names Faculty Ombuds

Keith Maskus and JoAnn Silverstein are the new Faculty Ombuds at CU Boulder. In these part-time roles, they primarily work with faculty, researchers, and graduate students. Maskus and Silverstein join an office led by Director Kirsi Aulin and including Associate Ombuds Jason J. Sinocruz and has hired Detric Robinson as Associate Ombuds.

Joe Johnston is the latest guest on Brooke Wichmann's podcast, "Ombuddy." Johnston, the Ombuds at the Rochester Institute of Technology, talks about his three decades of experience in higher education, including roles in residence life, student conduct, and now Ombuds. The thread through all of these jobs: "His commitment to deep listening and, at times, dark humor."

Job Posting: Western Governors University

The private, nonprofit, online university based in Salt Lake City, Utah is hiring a full-time Associate Student Ombuds. The position is located in the Office of Student Affairs and reports to WGU's inaugural Ombuds, Kevin L. Cummings, who was appointed in June 2019. WGU's Ombuds program provide serves an enrolled student population of about 100,000.

Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center Appoints First Ombuds

In November 2025, Billie Jo Alexander became the inaugural Ombuds for the not-for-profit, acute care hospital in McComb, Mississippi. She provides providing services to over 1,100 staff, clinicians, and administrators aligned with IOA standards.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board oversees all public colleges in the state, yet it lacks any written policies to ensure its Ombudsman’s investigations are fair or effective. Created in 2025, the Office of the Ombudsman office is tasked with policing state DEI bans and holds the power to recommend that lawmakers defund schools found in violation.

Job Posting: Santa Fe College

The community college in Gainesville, Florida, is seeking an Ombuds and Senior Director, Student Affairs. The search will fill a position previously held by Bea Awoniyi. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, this full-time leadership role also includes oversight of key student support programs, including the Disabilities Resource Center and Displaced Homemakers. The role includes supervision of staff, budget and grant oversight, and collaboration across campus and community partners.

Sana Manjeshwar is the latest guest on Vibecast, a podcast by HR consultant, Kristi Skutvik. Manjeshwar explained how the Ombuds is distinct from HR, EAP, and therapy, and its value in surfacing concerns before they escalate. Majeshwar describes Ombuds as a “canary in the coal mine,” offering real-time cultural insight and a trusted space—often used by leaders themselves—while emphasizing that empathy, conflict awareness, and intentional leadership remain essential in ways AI cannot replicate. (YouTube.)

The Austria-based international development organization for children is hiring National Ombuds in the capital city of Amman. The full-time, six-month contract position is expected to report to Sambieni Bienvenu, the SOS Regional Ombuds for West, Central & North Africa.

ENOHE Announces 2026 Conference Speakers

The European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education has announced speakers and session details for its 21st annual conference at AGH University of Kraków on June 10-12, 2026. This year's theme is "New Developments in a Maturing Profession: Ombuds Skills and AI" will connect emerging issues in artificial intelligence with Ombuds work in higher education.

Job Posting: Pennsylvania State University

The Public Ivy in Central Pennsylvania is seeking an inaugural Director for its University Ombuds Office for its flagship campus at University Park. Reporting to the Provost’s Chief of Staff, this full-time position will establish and lead a new Ombuds function serving faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars across a large, multi-campus system. The role reflects a hybrid “hub-and-spoke” model with both direct service and program oversight responsibilities, including developing protocols for unit ombuds and coordinating practices across campuses.

Glenn N. Crispell, a pioneer in the federal Ombuds sector, passed away on March 14, 2026. Crispell’s legacy was defined by his 63-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency, where he served as the agency's first-ever Ombudsman. In this role, and as the CIA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program Manager, he pioneered the use of neutral, confidential conflict resolution within one of the government’s most complex environments. A recipient of the Career Intelligence Medal and a nominee for the Trailblazer Award, Crispell was a trusted advisor to multiple Directors of Central Intelligence (and many others at the CIA, as reflected in comments to his obituary). (Money & King.)

Job Posting: World Health Organization, Egypt

The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations agency for international public health, is seeking a Regional Ombudsman based in Cairo for its Eastern Mediterranean Region. This senior (P5) role provides informal conflict resolution services for staff, including mediation, trend analysis, and advising leadership on systemic issues. Consistent with WHO’s recent reaffirmation of its Ombuds function, the position operates without decision-making authority and is expected to support organizational learning, improve workplace climate, and promote early identification of concerns. It is not clear whether the position is currently vacant.

Tom A. Kosakowski, a University Ombuds and author of The Ombuds Blog, joined the Blessed Be Podcast (hosted by Robert Polanco, Dawn Sander, and Jacqueline Villafañe) to discuss career transitions and the skills that support navigating professional uncertainty. Kosakowski reflects on his own path and the broader relevance of Ombuds-informed practices beyond formal roles.

Palacký University Olomouc Appoints First Ombuds

On February 1, 2026, Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, the second oldest university in the Czech Republic, named Jaroslav Šotola as its inaugural University Ombudsman. In this new role, Sotola serves faculty from eight schools, staff, and 23,000 students, with concerns including bullying, discrimination, abuse of power, sexual harassment, and other conflicts. As the Ombuds, he provides confidential consultations and informal resolution support but does not adjudicate academic or employment matters.

Heather J. Erwin has joined the Ombuds Office at Iowa as a half-time Assistant Ombudsperson, reporting to University Ombuds Chanelle Reese. Erwin also serves as an Adjunct Faculty Member in the Department of Sociology and Criminology. In her Ombuds role, Erwin brings experience in conflict navigation and restorative practices.

Job Posting: United Nations, Lebanon

The United Nations Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services is seeking a Regional Ombudsman based in Beirut. The senior-level position leads a regional branch providing confidential, informal conflict resolution services for UN personnel across multiple field locations.

Job Posting: Denver Public Schools

DPS, the large urban public school district in Colorado with more than 90,000 students across nearly 200 schools, is hiring an Associate Ombudsperson. The full-time position will report to and support the District Ombudsperson, Antoinette Hudson, CO-OP, and provide services for employees, including coaching, mediation, and facilitation. The role also contributes to training, identifies systemic concerns.

Bathabile K. S. Mthombeni will serve as the on-site Ombuds for the Society for Cinema and Media Studies' conference on March 26-29, 2026, in Chicago. Mthombeni will serve as a resource for conference participants who have questions about the professional association's Code of Conduct. She will be available up to a year after the event. Mthombeni has been the Ombuds for Binghamton University since 2015, and has also served as conference Ombuds for Root & Shoot and the American Anthropological Association. (SCMS Ombuds.)

In November 2025, Universiteit van Amsterdam adopted new regulations for its Ombuds, which affirm core principles of independence, impartiality, and confidentiality. Under the framework, the Ombuds has a legal right to information, requiring cooperation from university bodies and access to relevant records, and is empowered to investigate allegations of unjust treatment and systemic social safety issues. The framework aligns with broader European higher education practices, emphasizing a more formal, high-authority Ombuds role focused on institutional accountability and administrative fairness.

Cal Poly Pomona Quietly Shutters Ombuds Office

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, has paused operations of its Office of Conflict Resolution and Ombuds just over a year after relaunching the program. A university spokesperson said the office is closed pending review. The closure came to light after the student newspaper inquired about a door sign indicating the office was not operating. The university has not issued a campus-wide announcement explaining the decision.

Job Posting: University of California San Diego

UCSD, the large public research university in La Jolla, is seeking a full-time Associate Ombudsperson (Ombudsperson 3) for a one-year appointment. The office serves faculty, staff, students (about 40,000), and members of the UCSD health system. The position is part of an established office led by Director/Campus Ombudsperson John Armijo, with Associate Ombuds Nicholas Raichart and Ombuds Sue Presley. The role includes managing cases of moderate complexity, conducting intake and assessment, and leading outreach and training.

SRCD has again retained MWI to provide Conference Ombuds services for its 2027 Biennial Meeting, which will take place April 8–10, 2027, in Atlanta, Georgia. The large, international conference is expected to draw more than 6,500 attendees from research, practice, and policy communities.

Job Posting: Kennestone Hospital

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center is hiring its first Graduate Medical Education Ombudsman. The full-time position will serve residents, fellows, faculty, and program leadership across all GME programs within Wellstar Health System in and around Marietta, Georgia. The Ombuds is expected to report to the Office of Academic Affairs.

The European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education has announced details for its 21st annual conference at AGH University of Kraków on June 10-12, 2026. This year's theme is "New Developments in a Maturing Profession: Ombuds Skills and AI." Speakers will connect emerging issues in artificial intelligence with Ombuds work in higher education. The agenda is expected soon. Conference fees are €420 for members and €470 for non-members. Grants are available for Ombuds who are new to the field. (ENOHE Conf Info.)

On March 18, 2026, the U.S. Commerce Department posted an opening for an Associate Ombuds. The full-time, GS-15 position was based in the Washington, D.C. metro area and was consistent with past job openings. Mysteriously, the announcement was canceled the very next day. This would have been the first Ombuds hire in the Census Bureau in two and a half years. (USA Jobs.)

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