University of North Carolina Wilmington Offers Ombuds Graduate Course
The state research university in Southeast North Carolina is again offering a graduate-level course on Organizational Ombuds. CMR 523 is a three-credit course in UNCW's Master of Arts in Conflict Management and Resolution program. The course provides foundational training for the Organizational Ombuds role and is intended for practicing Ombuds, people interested in becoming Ombuds, and administrators considering establishing an Organizational Ombuds function. The course is also available through UNCW's post-baccalaureate certificate in Conflict Management and Resolution. Kimrey Rhinehardt, a faculty member in the program, teaches the course.
UNCW has offered Ombuds education before. In 2011, the university added an Ombuds course to its Conflict Management and Resolution certificate program, with a description that closely resembles the current course. At the time, UNCW had also developed a position for an Ombuds serving employee complaints, but the position was not funded because of budget limitations. In 2024, the university again moved toward establishing an Ombuds office, opening an internal search for its first University Ombuds to serve faculty and staff. That effort was later abandoned amid a university funding crisis. (Coursicle.)
Interesting approach from an institution with no expertise in ombudsmanship.
ReplyDeleteI assume you mean a faculty member teaching a course with no expertise at all in the subject. Sadly though faculty have to teach courses. they do some research and think they are the experts
ReplyDeletePeppermint and Harvard, watch out! There is a new ADR powerhouse on the scene.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Greater awareness of our field is an ongoing opportunity, and I am sure that this course will help with that awareness as well as preparing future ombuds professionals. I hope those of us in this incredible field will always offer our support for programs and courses such as this. As I have had the wonderful opportunity for several years to teach an Ombuds course at Pepperdine's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Caruso School of Law, I have greatly benefited from the support and help of IOA and so many fellow Ombuds colleagues who gave their time as instructors and guests. Hundreds of students have taken that class, and dozens are now working professionally as Ombuds. I am sure that students will similarly benefit from this course. And I hope they receive the same support from our community that I have always enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteExciting news! Applauding more educational opportunities so that more skilled Ombuds can bring more good to the world.
ReplyDeleteWhile UNCW has not had a previous Ombudsperson Office previously.. This is an opportunity for a much, needed change. 100% agree on David's last post.
ReplyDeleteThis is beyond long overdue for UNCW. While, there were previous posts here on the (Ombuds Blog) about the UNCW Ombudspersons program , or what that might be? I'm in full agreement with David's previous post. Also, the new person stepping into this new teaching position, has a vast, extensive, and amazing professional resume btw. Congrats. Well deserved.
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