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. 

University of South Florida Establishes Ombuds Continuity Plan

USF Faculty Staff Ombuds Steve Prevaux has established a continuity-of-operations plan for his office by engaging MWI as a backup service provider. The arrangement is intended to ensure uninterrupted Ombuds services for more than 15,000 faculty and staff across three campuses in the event of an unexpected absence, addressing a vulnerability for solo Ombuds offices. 

Society for Research in Child Development Renews with MWI for Ombuds Services

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. 

UC Berkeley Staff Ombuds Office Posts FY25 Report

The Staff Ombuds Office at the University of California, Berkeley has released its 2025 Annual Summary of Activity, reporting 234 cases and 13 facilitated discussions. More than a quarter of the cases were assessed as "a high organizational impact, involving senior leadership or serious policy concerns." Managed under contract with MWI, the office saw the addition of three new Ombuds last year: Tera Bisbee, Ralph Johnson, and Jen Sims; and the departure of Assistant Ombuds Shatika Ricketts.

National Planning Conference Renews Ombuds Services with MWI

MWI will provide conference Ombuds services for the American Planning Association’s 2026 National Planning Conference, April 25–28, 2026, in Detroit, which is expected to draw more than 5,000 attendees. Nnena Odim returns for a fourth year as Conference Ombuds

Partners in the Outdoors Conference Renews with MWI

For the third consecutive year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has partnered with MWI to provide Ombuds services for its Partners in the Outdoors Conference, taking place April 27–29, 2026, at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs. Jai Calloway will return as Conference Ombuds for the event, which convenes leaders from across sectors to explore the evolving relationship between conservation and outdoor recreation in Colorado.

Water Environment Federation Retains MWI for Conference Ombuds Services

WEF, an international professional association for water quality professionals, has expanded its partnership with MWI, entering into a two-year agreement for conference Ombuds services at WEF Events through 2027. Caitlan Hendrickson has been the conference Ombuds for WEF's Technical Exhibition and Conference since 2022 and will be joined by Jai Calloway and Josh Hoch. MWI provides services in alignment with IOA standards, supporting WEF’s efforts to foster respectful and inclusive professional environments at its conferences.

ABA Ombuds Committee Open Meeting for Early Career Ombuds

The Ombuds Committee of the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section is hosting a three-part series on the life cycle of an Ombuds. The first session is "Emerging Ombuds: New & Early Career Reflections" and takes place on February 24, 2026, at 12:00pm EST. All three sessions are open and free to nonmembers. 

DAVIS Construction Implements an Ombuds Program

James G. Davis Construction, a privately-held, general contractor based in Rockville, MD, and Philadelphia, selected MWI in February 2025 to create an IOA-compliant Ombuds program. MWI panelists Nnena Odim and Josh Hoch serve as the Ombuds for DAVIS’s 500+ employees across the Mid-Atlantic region. Odim and Hoch have worked together on various clients for the past 25 years, including providing ombuds services for JMA Construction. (DAVIS Ombuds.)

DIII-D National Fusion Program Creates Ombuds Program

Last year, the U.S. Department of Energy magnetic fusion lab in San Diego operated by General Atomics unveiled an Ombuds program. The new service is available to lab employees and others working on DIII-D projects. MWI has been contracted for the program. Alnoor Maherali and Lexi Wolfe are designated as the Ombuds. 

Podcast: Ombuds and MWI Founder

Chuck Doran is the most recent guest on the Blessed Be Podcast. (He is the third Ombuds to be featured on the pod. Hosts Robert Polanco and Dawn Sander say that, "This episode is especially valuable if you’re early in your career or if you’re mentoring others and want to pass on wisdom that goes beyond technique."

MWI Selects a Senior Ombuds Manager

Vik Kapoor has been hired by MWI as its first Senior Manager of Ombuds Program Success and will start September 24, 2025. In this new role, Kapoor will serve as the main point of contact for active clients, lead new program rollouts, and support our ombuds teams to ensure they have what they need to serve clients well.

Pacific University Establishes Ombuds Office

The private, religious university in Forest Grove, Oregon, has unveiled an Ombuds program to serve its faculty, staff, and administrators. The Pacific Ombuds Team is provided by MWI with Derrick Johnson and Birthe Reimers serving as the Ombuds. The new program reports to Pacific University's president operates under charter that adopts IOA standards.