IOA’s New Strategic Plan Signals a Shift in Priorities Through 2030

The International Ombuds Association has adopted a new five-year strategic direction, continuing a planning process that started in 2020. IOA’s “Strategic Direction 2021–2024,” identified four goals: Strengthening Ombuds’ capacity and tools; Increasing organizational leaders’ understanding and appreciation of the Ombuds function; Ensuring that IOA operated effectively and had sufficient financial resources; and Developing a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement. The “2026 Strategic Direction” retains those four broad goals but explicitly describes the change as one of different strategies and tactics.

Southern Connecticut Rotary Creates Ombuds Program

Rotary District 7980, a regional district of Rotary International encompassing local clubs in Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties, has established a three-member Conflict Resolution Team to provide an informal resource for members whose concerns cannot be resolved at the club level. The team "will be guided by" IOA’s four core principles of confidentiality, informality, neutrality and independence. The program began accepting inquiries on September 1, 2026. 

Quebec Higher Education Ombuds Association Selects 2026 Leaders

AOESQ (Association des ombudsmans en enseignement supérieur du Québec) has selected its executive committee for the coming year. The new officers are: Caroline Roy (Ombusman chez Université de Montréal), President; Marianne Leblond (Ombudsman adjointe chez Université de Montréal), Treasurer; and Stephanie Mc Farland (Ombudsman adjointe - Université de Sherbrooke), Secretary. The committee will support AOESQ members, strengthen its community of practice, and promote the Ombuds function throughout Quebec’s higher education sector. AOESQ brings together Ombuds from colleges and universities across the province. (LinkedIn.)

Pennsylvania State University Expands Grad Student Ombuds Program

The Fox Graduate School at Penn State has expanded its Graduate Student Ombudsperson Program from two faculty members to eight. Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs, Douglas Orzolek, explained that the expansion, “reflects both the need for the Ombudsperson Program and our commitment to providing a trusted, confidential avenue for guidance and support.” The new faculty Ombuds are:

North Carolina State University's Student Ombuds to Retire

Mike Giancola, NC State’s Student Ombuds, will retire from the university effective November 1 and become Dean of Students and Associate Vice Provost at the University of Pittsburgh. Giancola joined NC State in 1998 and has served as Student Ombuds since 2016. Meanwhile Bradley Davis continues as NC State’s Faculty and Staff Ombuds. NC State says it will provide information about the future of Student Ombuds Services in the coming months. (NCSU DASA News.)

Survey Finds Ombuds Offices at Nearly All Top Universities

A new report by Neil H. Katz, a professor at Nova Southeastern University, and PhD students Kadianne Pinard and Ronda Rascon examines the presence and organizational characteristics of Ombuds programs at the top 80 U.S. universities. The survey, initially conducted by graduate students in Katz’s Fall 2024 Organizational Ombuds course, was updated and expanded in July 2026 using the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The updated survey found that 96% of the 80 universities had established Ombuds offices, with one of the three institutions without an office considering establishing one. 

ABA Program Examines Where Mediation Meets the Ombuds World

The American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section will mark Ombuds Day 2026 with a virtual program exploring the connections between mediation and Ombuds work. “Options in Action: Where Mediation Meets the Ombuds World” will examine the shared skills and approaches of the two professions, as well as the ways different Ombuds models provide an “Office of Options” for those navigating conflict. 

Job Posting: Western University

The public university in London, Ontario, is seeking an Associate Ombudsperson for a one-year temporary, full-time contract covering a leave of absence. The on-site position reports to the University Ombuds, Mel Molnar. ;The Associate Ombuds serves as the first point of contact for students and also supports the office's administrative functions. (Stephanie Bolingbroke has served in the position since July 2025.)

Tim Griffin: Former NIU Ombuds and IOA Emeritus

Tim Griffin, who was the Ombuds at Northern Illinois University from 1991 to 2012, passed away last week at the age of 74. In addition to his 21 years as Ombuds at NIU, Griffin was an active volunteer and leader within the Ombuds profession. He established and hosted the Summer Academic Ombuds Meeting for nine years, authored several important articles about the Ombuds field, and helped train many other university Ombuds. 

Former TU/e Ombuds Seeks Redress and Compensation

Anna Soedira, the former Ombudsperson for Staff at Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, is seeking formal redress and compensation from the university following her departure in 2025. Soedira left after the university’s Executive Board withdrew its confidence in her. She is now seeking to have her reputation restored and to receive compensation, with support from the university’s representative council.

Job Posting: Kaiser Permanente, Northern California

KP is hiring a full-time HealthCare Ombuds/Mediator for its medical facilities in Walnut Creek, 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." The position requires travel 50% of the time.

Get Ready for Ombuds Day 2026

The ninth annual Ombuds Day will be celebrated on Thursday, October 8, 2026, with the theme of “Ombuds: Office of Options.” More details will be posted here as plans develop. (Ombuds Day Blog; ABA Events.)

Journal of IOA: Ombuds in a Complex World

Fred Wright, Fred Wright, Workplace Conciliator (Organizational Ombuds) in the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning for Victoria, Australia, is the author of the latest article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association. In "Ombudsing in Complex Environments," Wright argues that Ombuds need an updated role definition and knowledge base to effectively navigate increasingly complex organizational environments rather than relying on outdated professional assumptions and tools. The full article is now available online.

IOA Announces Speakers for 2026 September Symposium

The International Ombuds Association has released the agenda for its 2026 September Symposium, "Reframing Power and Influence: Exploring Intentional Ombuds Sway and the Tension Around Influence."  The event for intermediate and advanced Ombuds practitioners will take place on September 30 and October 1, 2026, at the Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, DC. 

Call for Presenters: IOA 2027 Annual Conference

The International Ombuds Association is inviting presentation proposals for its 22nd Annual Conference, which will be held in Vancouver, BC, on March 15-17, 2027. The announcement include several significant changes from last year's process, including the addition of half- and full-day pre-conference programs and a possible Research Symposium on the last day of the conference.

Call for Presentations: COFO 2026 Annual Conference

The Coalition of Federal Ombudsman is seeking proposals for presentations at its 2026 Annual Conference, which will be held in Alexandria, Virginia, on September 25, 2026. The free, hybrid event focuses on the needs of Ombuds practitioners serving in the federal government, but welcomes presenters and attendees from across the profession and broader alternative dispute resolution community. 

Article Examines Structural Vulnerability of Campus Ombuds

Paul J. Caffera, the University Ombuds at the University of Mississippi, is the author of a forthcoming article in Negotiation Journal, “The Ombuds in American Higher Education: A Distinct Dispute Resolution Role Built on a Flawed Foundation.” In his article, Caffera argues that a structural weakness embedded in the campus Ombuds model from its inception has left the role vulnerable to marginalization, closure, and outsourcing. 

Job Posting: Clark Atlanta University

The private HBCU in Southwest Atlanta is seeking a Special Assistant/Ombudsman for students and parents with concerns affecting the academic experience, student success, and campus climate. The new full-time, interim position is based in Academic Affairs and reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. CAU is part of Atlanta University Center Consortium with three other colleges and universities including Spelman College, which also recently established an Ombuds office.

Job Posting: Utah Valley University

The large public university in Orem is seeking its next Assistant Director of Student Conflict Resolution/Ombuds. The search will fill a position recently vacated by Victoria Cruz, who was promoted to Deputy Dean of Students. The full-time Ombuds position serves a student body of 37,000 and reports to the VP of Student Affairs. In addition, UVU's Ombuds oversees an Ombuds Fellowship Program.

University of Virginia Selects Next Ombuds

UVA has named Riley E. Barrar as its new University Ombuds. She will lead a program that serves nearly 40,000 faculty, staff, and students and supervises the UVA Health Ombuds, Henry Yampolsky, and a Program Coordinator.

Boston University Selects an Experienced Associate Ombuds

Samantha Levine-Finley has been appointed the new Associate Ombuds at BU, joining University Ombuds Francine Montemurro and Associate Ombuds Lailul Ikram. 

Johns Hopkins Expands Ombuds Services to All University Staff

JHU will expand its Ombuds Office this fall to provide services to university staff. The office was established in 2021 to serve PhD students and postdoctoral fellows and expanded last year to include master's and medical students. The office, led by Annalisa Peterson, will add an Associate Ombuds as it begins serving staff. 

ABA Ombuds Committee Begins Open Monthly Meetings

The American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution Ombuds Committee will begin monthly meetings on August 25, 2026. These meetings are free and open to "practicing ombuds from any sector, ombuds-curious, or just want to connect with individuals dedicated to the work." Bathabile K. S. Mthombeni and Matt Ricke are the committee co-chairs. Subsequent meetings are planned for: September 22, October 27, and November 24, 2026; and January 26, February 23, and March 23, 2027. (ABA Events.)

Ombuds Returns to University for Peace

UPEACE, the United Nations-affiliated university in Costa Rica, has reappointed Kathya Araya as its Ombudsperson. Araya previously served in the role from 2020 to 2022 and returns to the position following a search launched earlier this year. The Ombudsperson provides confidential guidance to students, staff, visiting faculty and scholars, interns, consultants, contractors, and others covered by university policies, with responsibilities including the prevention and resolution of prohibited conduct. 

FCO Announces 2026 Conference

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman has released details for its 2026 conference. The event will take place at the Delta Hotels Quebec City on October 19-22, 2026. The conference theme is "Ombuds: Institution of Trust - Strengthening Public Confidence" and registration is now open. 

Here are the scheduled speakers:

Job Posting (RFP): Madison Area Technical College

Madison Area Technical College, the public technical college in Madison, Wisconsin, is seeking experienced independent professionals to establish a pool of Organizational Ombuds Consultants. Selected 1099 independent contractors will provide external, confidential, impartial, and informal conflict resolution services to college employees on an as-needed basis. The college anticipates utilizing each consultant for approximately 50–100 hours per year at a compensation rate of $80–$100 per hour. 

Job Posting: World Food Programme

WFP is seeking an Ombuds Officer (Outreach & Communication) at the P-4 level for its Office of the Ombudsperson and Mediation Services in Rome. The position reports to the Ombuds, Katya Melluish, and will lead the office's outreach and communication strategy, capacity-building program, and communication campaigns while also providing confidential Ombuds services, including coaching, mediation, and other informal conflict resolution services.

Relay Graduate School of Education Opens Ombuds Program

The private graduate school for teachers based in New York City has created a Student Ombudsman Service for its 5,000 enrolled students. According to a new webpage, the Relay Ombuds serves students with "institutional and academic concerns, clarification of policies, and other challenges that impact academic progress." Notably, Relay does not identify the person serving as Ombuds on its website, which is unusual for an Organizational Ombuds program. (Relay Ombuds.)

Ombuds at University of Victoria Posts 2025 Annual Report

Angus Shaw, the Ombudsperson for UVic, has released his 2025 annual report, highlighting administrative fairness issues identified through the Office’s work with students. Shaw handled 449 cases in 2025, roughly the same as the 452 cases handled in 2024. Academic concessions were the most common type of case, accounting for 16.7% of the total, followed by academic integrity and faculty or staff behavior, each at 11.5%. The Office also reported approximately 6,700 unique visitors to its website, up from about 6,000 in 2024. 

Cal Caucus 2026 Has Not Yet Sold Out

For the first time in several years, the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds has not sold out in the first day. Organizers for the event at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, November 8-11, 2026, report that there are still a few spots available. (Cal Caucus Humanitix.)

Santa Fe College Names Next Ombuds

The community college in Gainesville, Florida, has named Karla Solis as its new Ombuds. Solis succeeds Bea Awoniyi, who retired after 13 years at the college. Solis began on June 16, 2026. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, Solis will also provide oversight of some student support programs, including the Disabilities Resource Center and Displaced Homemakers. 

Ombuds Sought for Interviews About Professional Association Needs

Julie Muroff is seeking Ombuds who have been members of IOA for at least one year to participate in confidential interviews about what Ombuds want and need from a professional association. The interviews will take 60 minutes or less and must be completed by August 14, 2026. 

Here is her full request: 

Peralta Community College District Names First Ombuds

The Peralta Community College District has established an Office of the Ombuds, with Kohya Lu serving as its first Organizational Ombuds. The full-time position serves approximately 850 employees, including classified professionals, faculty, and administrators, across the District's four colleges in Northern California's East Bay. Until very recently, Lu had served as the inaugural Ombudsperson at College of San Mateo since August 2023. (PCCD Ombuds.)

Introducing the Ombuds for Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

In September 2024, Jeff Stransky was hired as the Ombudsperson for the polytechnic institute in Calgary, Alberta. He follows Kamini Bernard in the full-time position that provides services to all members of the SAIT campus community. The SAIT Ombuds reports to the Vice President of Student Affairs and External Relations, and receives advice and direction from the Ombudsperson Leadership Committee, which includes student representatives.

Davidson College Debuts Ombuds Office

The private liberal arts college north of Charlotte, North Carolina, has selected its first Ombuds: Jerry Nuesell. As a temporary, part-time consultant, he is launching a program to serve the college's faculty and staff will lead the program's initial setup including the creation of a website, formal policies, and outreach materials. Nuesell continues as the Ombuds for Wake Tech, where he also established the office in 2017. (Davidson Ombuds.)

Job Posting: United Nations

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

Cary, North Carolina, to Consider Ombuds for City Employees

The small town east of Raleigh is looking at several organizational reforms including an Ombuds for employees, after a new report detailed exorbitant spending by town officials and a toxic workplace culture under former town manager. The business law firm of Womble Bond Dickinson produced a 272 page report that "includes recommendations intended to improve Town operations, the Town’s workplace environment, and the channels through which Town financial information is disseminated to the Town Council and Town residents." 

ABA DRS Idle Chat: Red Cross Ombuds on the Importance of Listening

The American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution has shared its latest episode of "Idle Chat" and it features Dawn Miller Sander, Assistant Ombuds at the American Red Cross. Miller's chat with host Natalie Armstrong-Motin is casual and relaxed, and eventually delves into the professional significance of their work in conflict resolution. In the final portion of the interview Miller She emphasizes that her "whole job" is listening. She explains that by being a patient, active listener and asking the right probing questions, she empowers people to resolve their own conflicts and find their own way forward. (YouTube.)

Ole Miss AAUP Raises Alarm Over Camera Outside Ombuds Office

The University of Mississippi is facing new scrutiny over its Ombuds program after the university's chapter of the American Association of University Professors raised concerns about a facial-recognition camera outside the entrance to the Ombuds Office. The group says employees discovered the camera on July 13 and argues that its presence undermines the confidentiality that is fundamental to the Ombuds function, potentially deterring faculty, staff, and students from seeking assistance.

University of Wisconsin–Madison Enlists Another Ombuds

UW-Madison announced the appointment of Charles Hoslet to the Ombuds Office for a three-year term starting this past June. Hoslet joins six other Ombuds: Jane Dymond, Susan Ellis Weismer, Amy Fruchtman, Robin Kurtz, Regina Murphy, and Don Schutt. He has worked at UW-Madison for nearly three decades in a wide range of administrative roles, most recently as Vice Chancellor for University Relations. (UW-M News.)

Job Posting: VU Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking its next Staff Ombudsman. The full-time position will serve more than 6,000 faculty and staff with workplace concerns. The Ombuds reports administratively to the Executive Board while maintaining an independent role. The search will fill a position held most recently by Michiel Geursen and supplements the work of Pelin Zenginoğlu, the Student Ombudsman.

Registration Opens for 2026 California Caucus

The agenda has been posted for the 2026 California Caucus of College and University Ombuds. Registration for the event, which regularly sells out, opens today. The caucus takes place at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, November 8-11, 2026.

Here is the full agenda for the caucus, "The Grove & the Understory":

Internship: SAP, Germany

The Global Ombuds Office for the German multinational software corporation is seeking an intern or diploma student. The paid opportunity is focused communications projects, but the tasks will be varied and include independent and collaborative projects. After an initial six-month internship, the position may transition to a student employee. The SAP Ombuds office is based at SAP's headquarters in Walldorf, but the internship alternately could be located could somewhere else in Europe, Middle East, or Africa. Up to 10% travel may be required.

Université de Sherbrooke Ombuds Posts 2026 Annual Report

UdeS Student Ombudsman Marie-Claude Laquerre, and Deputy Ombudsman, Stephanie McFarlandhave published the office's annual report for 2025-26. Laquerre reports that the office received 362 new requests and closed 357 files during the reporting period. Although the number of student cases declined by 10% from the prior year, the report attributes much of this decrease to lower international student enrollment associated with recent immigration-related challenges in Canada. At the same time, the office saw substantial increases in matters involving internships and clinical placements, as well as interpersonal conflicts and professionalism concerns. 

Another New Ombuds Podcast: Spoken in Confidence

Sana Manjeshwar, who served as the Ombuds at Chevron and AllianceBernstein and now consults as the principal of OmbudSana International, has launched her own podcast: "Spoken in Confidence." Manjeshwar plans a series of monthly interviews with leaders "who chose to handle conflict differently, sharing real-world scenarios, hard conversations, and practical tools. The target audience are executives, compliance leaders, managers, and employees. (YouTube.)

Job Re-Posting: Northeastern Illinois University

The public state university in North Park, Chicago continues to seek its next Ombuds. The goal is to reopen a program that has been dormant since 2022. The current search opened in February. The NEIU Ombuds is a full-time, IOA compliant position that reports to the University President and serves faculty, staff, and 8,000 students. 

University of Kansas Names Interim Ombuds

KU has selected Dorris Mbogo as its Interim University Ombuds. Mbogo will serve in the part-time role while continuing as Director of Informal Resolution in KU's Office of Civil Rights & Title IX. She succeeds Ada Emmett, who retired earlier this year after nearly 25 years of service in the Ombuds Office and KU Libraries. The interim appointment follows a search limited to current university employees and is not expected to become a permanent position.

Hidden Pulse Podcast: Dina Eisenberg on Coaching Executive Teams

Dina Eisenberg is the latest guest on Crissy Mangrum's podcast, "Hidden Pulse." Eisenberg has a wealth of knowledge based on her three decades of work in conflict resolution including stints as the Ombuds for Twitter, Berklee College of Music, Boston Law Collaborative, Bank of America (Fleet Bank), and numerous private clients. In the interview, she discusses how thoughtful preparation, effective communication, and better decision-making can help leaders and individuals navigate conflict, high-stakes choices, and major life transitions with greater clarity and confidence. 

Ombuddy Podcast Interviews Mount Holyoke College Ombuds

Vivian Hsu is the latest guest on Brooke Wichmann's podcast, "Ombuddy." Hsu, the Ombuds for Mount Holyoke since 2017, reflects on the personal and professional experiences that led her to Ombuds work and the skills she carries from her background in law and organizational consulting. Wichmann says that Hsu emphasized knowing what “hat” you are wearing and having the clarity and discipline to stay in the appropriate lane.

Job Posting: La Trobe University

The public research university based in Melbourne, Victoria, is seeking its first University Ombudsman. The part-time (0.6 FTE) position will serve about 38,000 staff and students, and is offered as a fixed-term appointment of three to five years. The posting also emphasizes providing "strategic advice" to university leadership and developing annual reports and recommendations.