Ombuds Academy to Discuss Cases That Haunt Practitioners

Ombuds Academy will host The Haunted Ombuds Office: 7 Things That Linger After the Visitor Leaves, a discussion of the experiences that can stay with Ombuds after a case ends. Tom Kosakowski, a University Ombuds at the University of Southern California, will join Ombuds Academy founder Reese Ramos for the first of two sessions on October 9. The program is intended for practicing Ombuds. The free session will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. ET on October 9, with a second session to follow. (Ombuds Academy.)

National University to Celebrate Ombuds Day 2026

National University will celebrate Ombuds Day on Thursday, October 8, with a 90-minute virtual/hybrid program hosted by its Ombuds, LaCrisia “Cris” Gilbert. This year’s event, “Ombuds: The Office of Options,” will highlight the Ombuds Office as a resource for exploring possibilities, navigating challenges, and making informed choices. The program will feature remarks from National University leadership and a keynote address by Reese Ramos, University Ombuds at Virginia Tech, along with mindfulness and reflection activities, a spoken word performance, interactive audience engagement, and practical tools for navigating conversations and conflict. 

Podcast: Insights from a Longtime Ombuds

Reese 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.

Ombuds Academy Launches Training for Developing Ombuds

Reese Ramos has launched Ombuds Academy, a new training program for aspiring and early-career Ombuds. Ramos, an Ombuds with more than 25 years of experience, said the program responds to demand for more practical insight into the realities of Ombuds practice and opportunities to connect with experienced practitioners. The Academy’s flagship course, Ombuds Fundamentals, introduces the principles, challenges, and day-to-day dynamics of Ombuds work and is priced at $1,295 for four half-day sessions.

AI and the Humanizing Role of the Organizational Ombuds

A new article in Conflict Resolution Quarterly addresses the role of Ombuds and the effects of AI. Brian Green, the Associate Ombuds and Director of Programs at Emory University is the author of "Artificial Intelligence, Bureaucratic Dehumanization, and the Organizational Ombuds." He argues that Ombuds should approach AI cautiously and critically, viewing it through their core function as humanizers within organizational systems. 

Guest Post: Reese Ramos on the Impact of AI

In this special post, Reese Ramos, the University Ombuds & Director at Virginia Tech, offers his perspective on the growing impact of AI on Ombuds work. I deeply appreciate and respect his insights on the Ombuds profession.

Here is his full essay:

Virginia Tech Ombuds Featured on Two Podcasts

Both of Virginia Tech's Ombuds have been guests on podcasts recently. Bryan Hanson, VT's Graduate School Ombudsperson, was the guest on the National Association for Community Mediation's #Here2Hear podcast on April 17, 2025. (NAFCM YouTube.) Reese Ramos, VT's University Ombuds & Director, was a guest on the Blessed Be podcast on May 2, 2025. (Spotify.)

(Guest Post) Navigating the Ripple Effects of a New Presidential Administration with the Crystal Ball

In this special post, Reese Ramos, the University Ombuds & Director at Virginia Tech, offers thoughts on how Ombuds should anticipate the ripple effects from a new Trump administration, including shifts in workplace policies, DEIB rollbacks, funding changes, and increased stress among visitors. He believes these challenges will impact the Ombuds profession itself, with potential office closures, compassion fatigue, and greater demand for conflict resolution services. Here is his full essay.

Virginia Tech Adds First Associate Ombuds

Geoffrey Adelsberg will join the University Ombuds Office at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in January 2025. He will work with Director & University Ombuds, Reese Ramos, as the first Associate Ombuds and provide services to all campus stakeholders.

Virginia Commonwealth University Ombuds Announces 2024 Conflict Resolution Day Event

Since 2013, VCU's Ombudsperson, William King, has sponsored a National Conflict Resolution Day program. This year, his signature event on October 17, 2024will feature a keynote by Reese Ramos, University Ombuds for Virginia Tech. The theme for his address is "The Power of the Dark Side – Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable." The rest of the day includes panel discussions and group work on managing conflict with other campus leaders. As usual, the event is free and open to the public.

Job Posting: Virginia Tech

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the public research university in Blacksburg, will expand its Ombuds Office with the hiring of its first Associate Ombuds. The position will report to the Director & University Ombuds, Reese Ramos, and provide services to all campus stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and students. This is not a remote position, but is eligible for a telework/hybrid schedule.

Cal Caucus Posts Agenda, Opens Registration for 50th Annual Meeting

Registration is now open for the 2023 California Caucus of College and University Ombuds. Set for November 5-8 at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, the theme will be “Diving Deep: 50 Years of Ombuds Exploration.” The event will celebrate the rich history of Cal Caucus and the Ombuds profession, delve into the depths of effective Ombuds work, explore how Ombuds contribute to healthy and diverse organizational ecosystems, and support each other both personally and professionally.

Cal Caucus Posts 2022 Agenda, Opens Registration

Registration is now open for the 2022 California Caucus of College and University Ombuds. Set for November 6-9 at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, the theme will be “Lessons from Tidal Pools.” A defining characteristic of Asilomar is tidal pools. What can Ombuds learn from these diverse and lively communities? Recent challenges have required Ombuds to be adaptive and creative in our response. As Ombuds, how do we build strong, diverse, and resilient work environments? How do we strengthen our individual Ombuds role and create a thriving Ombuds community?

IOA Board Yields to Members' Concerns with Updated Bylaws Proposal

In response to members' concerns, the International Ombudsman Association's Board of Directors announced a new process to amend the IOA Bylaws & Articles of Incorporation. At a special meeting in June, an omnibus package of updates to the bylaws failed to come to a vote in the face of procedural objections from the floor. At follow-up townhalls, members also took issue with the Board's omnibus proposal for changes to multiple bylaws. Since then, the IOA has held multiple meetings to understand the concerns and fashion a response. An email from the entire IOA Board late last week outlined a process to provide more discussion of the changes in advance of another special meeting and then  allow separate votes on individual proposals.

IOA Seeks Nominations for 2021 Board of Directors

The International Ombudsman Association is seeking nominations for Directors who will serve a three-year term starting at the end of March 2021. Six directors have terms that expire: Steve Prevaux, CO-OP (Board VP); Roy Baroff, CO-OP; Suzanne Diviney, CO-OP; Jessica Kuchta-Miller, CO-OP; Sana Manjeshwar, CO-OP; and Mauricio (Reese) Ramos, CO-OP.

Train at Home with IOA Webinars

The International Ombudsman Association will host five online training sessions between May and November 2020. IOA webinars offer the latest information on a range of topics relevant to Ombuds without the need to travel. The hour and a half webinars provide CO-OP credit and are free for IOA members (just $195 for non-members). 

Here are the details.

IOA Announces Agenda for 2020 Conference in Portland

The International Ombudsman Association has released some of the agenda for its 14th annual conference set for Portland, Oregon, March 30 to April 1, 2020. Keynotes and plenary topics have not been announced yet, but break out sessions are now set. More details will be posted when available. Meanwhile, pre-conference trainings are starting to fill up.

The Power of Speaking Up: Thoughts On Ombuds Day (Guest Post)

Submitted by Reese Ramos, CO-OP, Director and University Ombuds at Virginia Tech.

My heart, and spirits, sank a bit as I sat down at my typewriter laptop to draft a little something to commemorate the second ever Ombuds Day*. Why? Because, in preparing to write this article, I looked at what I wrote last year; I spoke then about how there is much in the world that divides us.  And it struck me that the events I alluded in last year’s article are still headline news – every single one. I guess that sometimes, not much changes in a span of a year. 

Virginia Tech Names First University Ombuds

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has announced that Reese Ramos will be its first Director of the University Ombuds Office. Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said, “I am confident Reese’s vision and energy will support our commitment to a culture of respect for all members of the university community as he leads the development of our new ombuds office.”

Ramos is a past president of IOA and served as the Ombuds for Sandia National Laboratories from 2002 to late 2018. He will build an IOA-compliant program that serves faculty, staff, and students. In addition to his 17 years at Sandia, Ramos worked as an Ombuds at UCLA, Earthjustice in San Francisco, and National Park Services. He graduated from Pepperdine University and earned his law degree from the University of the Pacific. (VT News.)

Related posts: Sandia National Labs Shutters Ombuds Program; Guest Post: The Thread that Unites Us All – A Celebration of Ombuds Day; Job Posting.

IOA Announces Agenda for 2019 Annual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association convenes its 13th annual conference at the Sheraton Hotel New Orleans on April 1-3, 2019. The three-day event will be familiar to anyone who has attended in recent years: the days start with keynote events from Ombuds and others professionals, plenary and concurrent sessions, and opportunities to hear from association leaders. The full agenda with presenter bios is now available and registration is open.