The Ombuds Blog: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Announces Next Ombuds

October 05, 2026

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Announces Next Ombuds

UTC has named Caitlan Hendrickson as its new University Ombudsperson. She started on October 1 and succeeds Anovia Slaughter, UTC’s inaugural Ombuds. Hendrickson brings more than 20 years of Ombuds and conflict resolution experience. She previously served as an Ombuds at the University of Arizona, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Department of the Interior, and as a contract Ombuds through MWI. (UTC Blog.)

2 comments:

Anonymous10/05/2026 10:16 AM
Mazel tov!
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Geoffrey Adelsberg10/05/2026 11:10 AM
Congrats, Caitlin! A warm welcome to Appalachia from the Ombuds Office at Virginia Tech!
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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany/Austria -- Ombudspersonen and Ombudsleute

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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