European Molecular Biology Laboratory Selects Next Ombuds

Tuba Bilecik has been appointed the Ombudsperson for EMBL, the intergovernmental laboratory for the life sciences in Heidelberg, Germany. She follows Martina Peskoller-Fuchs, who established the program in 2015. As the Ombuds, Bilekic will serve staff, fellows, trainees, and lab visitors at sites across Europe, and will serve an initial five-year term.

IOA Videos Feature Endorsements by Corporate Leaders

The International Ombuds Association has shared three videos that debuted at its annual conference in April 2025. These short videos feature CEOs and other C-suite leaders of three different organizations: Boston Children's Hospital; AllianceBernstein; and Pinterest. The Ombuds are lavished with praise for effective work that improves organizational culture and manages conflict. All three videos are available at the IOA YouTube channel. (YouTube.)

Registration Opens for 2025 Cal Caucus

Registration for the 52nd California Caucus of College and University Ombuds opens this morning at 9:00am PDT and payment is due by August 8, 2025. Set for November 9 through 12 at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, the theme will be “Finding Solid Ground in Shifting Sands.” Unlike most professional conferences, attendees eat meals and participate in all sessions together. The event has sold out quickly in recent years.

Job Posting: Oakland University

The public research university in Oakland County, Michigan, has opened a search for a University Ombudsperson. (In 1970, Kenneth Coffman became the first Ombudsman at OU and served several years in the role; it does not appear that the university has had an Ombuds program for several decades.) The full-time position will establish a program to serve faculty, staff, and 16,000 students across two, suburban campuses. The Ombuds will and report as part of the president's office. 

Job Posting: University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado's flagship public university is hiring an Associate Ombuds. The position will join an office comprised of Director, Kirsi Aulin, Associate Director, Liz Hill, two Faculty Ombuds, Yem Fong and Jerry Hauser, and Ombuds Program Administrator, Maggie Howard. The Associate Ombuds will handle cases from students, staff, faculty, and administrators, and assist with training and outreach efforts.

George Leitmann: University of California's First Ombudsman

George Leitmann, the inaugural Ombudsman for UC Berkeley, passed away on May 19, 2025 just shy of his 100th birthday. Born in Austria, Leitmann lived a rich life. His family fled the Nazi regime and, after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and shipped out to Europe in 1944. His unit was attached to the First French Army and for his reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines, France awarded him the Croix de Guerre. Later, his unit participated in the liberation of the Kaufering concentration camp near Munich. After the end of the war, he became the youngest special agent of the U.S. Army’s Counterintelligence Corps which included service as an interrogator at the Nuremberg War Crime Trials. 

Frances Bauer: Former Ombuds at University of Western Ontario

Frances Bauer, the former Ombudsperson at Western University, passed away on May 15, 2025. She attended McGill University at the age of 15 and went on to earn two masters degrees. Much of her career was spent in higher education, including time at Dawson College and Concordia University. Eventually, she became the University Ombuds at Western, where she served for two decades before retiring in 2005. She briefly unretired in 2008-2009 to be the interim Ombuds at Fanshawe College. 

Training Resolved LLC Offers In-Person Ombuds Course in Nashville

A Tennessee-based company is offering a two-day Ombuds training on July 24-25, 2025, "The Ombuds Advantage: A New Frontier for Lawyers and Mediators." The course aims to introduce "the emerging role of the Ombuds" to lawyers and mediators through lectures, ethical discussions, and hands-on role plays. The trainers are: Kimberly Schreiber, "an experienced attorney and R31 Listed Mediator and Trainer with a background in conflict resolution and organizational dynamics"; and David Adams, "an MBA, coach, leader, and operations strategist." Both have "specialized training in Ombuds practice." 

Job Posting: International Organization for Migration, Egypt

The intergovernmental organization that promotes international cooperation on migration issues is hiring a Conflict Resolution Officer to be based in Cairo. The position is located within the IOM Office of the Ombudsperson and Mediation Services and assists staff members with employment issues following IOA standards. The contract is for nine months.

Registration Opens for 2025 Summer Virtual Small Caucus

The California Caucus of College and University Ombuds has opened registration for its third annual summer meeting. The online only event on June 27, 2025, offers an opportunity to preview the topic for the traditional fall caucus in Pacific Grove.

Here's the full announcement:

John Binder: Former Ombuds at Kent State University

John J Binder, University Ombudsman for Students at Kent State from 1985 to 1996, passed away on February 16, 2025. He served with the Army in Korea before graduating from Duquesne University and earning an MA at Notre Dame and PhD at Kent State. He returned to Kent State in 1964 and stayed until his retirement 32 years later. (Morning Journal; Daily Kent Stater.)

Update: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Reverses Decision to Close Immigration Ombudsman Offices

DHS has announced that it had reversed its decision to close the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman Office, and Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman. The move followed lawsuits challenging the administration's authority to close the programs. Last week, USCIS even opened a search for a Deputy Ombuds. (Democracy Forward; Times of India; USA Jobs.)

Lawyer Warns Students About University Ombuds

Joseph D. Lento is an attorney based in New Jersey with a nationwide practice representing students (and others) in disputes with colleges and universities. His website was recently updated with a page about University Ombuds. He fairly describes the Ombuds' role and acknowledges many of the services. However, he also offers some examples of "potential pitfalls and perils" of relying on Ombuds' advice: 

Self-Care Workshop for Ombuds

Vik Kapoor, an Ombuds Consultant for UNICEF, UNDP, UNWOMEN, UNFPA and UNOPS, and ICF-certified coach, is hosting a one-hour public workshop on Thursday, June 19, 2025 (Juneteenth). The workshop, "Build Your Own Self-Care Plan," is intended for professionals who would like additional techniques to support their self-care and the self-care of those they serve.

Podcast: Ombuds and IOA Board Member

Jacqueline Villafañe was a recent guest on the Blessed Be Podcast. She shared her experience and insights on managing conflict drawn from her work as an organizational psychologist and Ombuds. Villafane is a current member of the IOA Board of Directors and also serves as the Ombuds for The MacArthur Foundation and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, among other clients. (Blessed Be Podcast.)