University of Cincinnati Selects an Associate Ombuds

Paula Kerezsi has been hired as an Associate Ombuds at UC. Reporting to University Ombuds, Jivanto P. van Hemert, they will join in providing services to about 60,000 students, staff, and faculty.

Kerezsi brings over two decades of higher education experience, including work as the Senior Associate Director of the Academic Advising Center at the University of Iowa and coordinating transfer initiatives at Augustana College.

Journal of IOA: Ombuds as the Helpful Stranger

Craig Mousin, the former Ombuds at DePaul University, is the author of a new article in Journal of the International Ombuds Association. In "Facilitating Belonging: Ombuds as the Helpful Stranger," Mousin offers a new metaphor for Ombuds and draws upon his years of work as an advocate for immigrants and refugees. The article is the first in a series to be published in a special issue on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Job Posting: European Investment Bank

The European Union's investment bank seeks its first Ombuds. Reporting directly to the President of the EIB, the new position will provide services to 5,000 staff members in the bank's Luxembourg HQ, local offices within the EU, and external offices around the world. The position will practice to IOA standards. Panel interviews are anticipated for March 2025. 

Department of the Interior Adds Experienced Ombuds

Jason Karim-Baker has been hired as a Lead Ombuds with the Department of the Interior's Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution. He joins a team of Ombuds, including Sigal Shoham and Mary Chavez Rudolph. Karim-Baker brings nearly eight years of Ombuds experience. Most recently at UC Davis and, prior to that, at the National Institutes of Health. (LinkedIn.)

New Ombuds at Oklahoma State University Reports on Recent Cases

Tom Wikle, an Emeritus Professor of Geography, became the Ombuds for OSU in October 2024. He follows Carol Jones, who held the part-time role for about a year and a half. As the University Ombuds, Wikle serve faculty, staff, and students across three OSU campuses. Wikle recently told the university's faculty council that he had met with 30 people in the first three months on the job. About half of the visitors were faculty and 60% of visitors returned for multiple meetings. (The O'Colly.)

Job Posting: United Nations, Geneva

The Office of the UN Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS) is seeking an Ombudsperson to be based in Switzerland. (Rahele Malanca has been serving as the WIPO Ombuds since April 2023.) The full-time position will be provide services to two UN organizations: the International Telecommunication Union and the World Intellectual Property Organization. The appointment will be for an initial period of one year and be based at the headquarters of ITU and WIPO. 

Meet the New Ombuds for Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

In March 2024, Pilar Cox was named the Ombuds for the traditional private university in Santiago. She follows José Ignacio González, who served in the role since August 2020. Cox, a professor of education, is expected to an initial three-year term as Ombuds. The UC Ombuds Office was created ten years ago and was the first university Ombuds office in Chile.

Former Ombuds Returns to San Diego State University

Suzanne Chappellet, who served as SDSU's Student Ombudsman from 1975 until her retirement in 2005, has returned to the role. She follow Darrell Hess, who retired last year, and joins Karla Ramirez, who has been the Assistant Student Ombuds since 2021. (SDSU Ombuds.)

Job Posting: Via Rail Canada

The Crown corporation that operates intercity passenger rail service in Canada is seeking bids for its first Organizational Ombuds. According to the invitation to tender, the job is for "Services of a corporate ombudsman (in a unionized environment) investigating complaints under the code of conduct and ethics." So there is some ambiguity about the role. Via Rail employs about 4,000 people across the country. The contract will run from March 2025 through February 2030. 

The New School Finds Next Ombuds

Saveena Dhall has been appointed the University Ombuds for the private school in New York City. As a full-time Ombuds, Dhall will expand the Ombuds program to serve all members of the campus community: about 15,000 faculty, staff, and students. She follows Ann-Louise Shapiro, who has been the Ombuds for faculty and staff since 2017. Dhall reports to the Senior Vice President for Administration, University Secretary, and Chief of Staff in the Office of the President.

Job Posting: UN Food and Agriculture Organization

The United Nations agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger has opened a search for its next Ombudsperson. Based in Rome, the position reports to the FAO Director General and will lead an office that provides services to FAO employees worldwide. José Martínez-Aragón has served in the role on an interim basis since the departure of Katya Melluish last August. The Ombuds will serve a five-year term, with a possible one-term extension.

Rutgers University Unveils Ombuds Service for Staff

The State University of New Jersey now has an Ombuds program for its staff. Employee Partners for Conflict Transformation (EmPaCT) services are available to any nonunion employee with workplace concerns. The program generally follows IOA standards. Frieda Hoffman is the inaugural Conflict Navigation Specialist. Her work will supplement existing Ombuds programs for students and medical trainees. 

Job Posting: San Francisco Democratic Party

The official organization for Democrats in the City and County of San Francisco is seeking its first Ombudsperson. The volunteer position "serves a critical role in upholding the integrity of the Code of Conduct and Policies [and] is the first point of contact by Complainants, and a source of guidance for Democratic Club leaders." The description seems to anticipate a mix of formal and informal duties. The work may be performed remotely, but applicants must reside in the U.S.

Job Posting: United Nations, Congo

The Office of the UN Ombudsman and Mediation Services is seeking a Conflict Resolution Officer in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, for a temporary appointment through June 2025. The position will provide services to peacekeeping personnel in the region and reports to the Regional Ombudsman (which is currently being filled by another search).

Mississippi State University Names Next Ombuds

Mike Breazeale has been appointed the University Ombudsperson for MSU, the land-grant research university in Oktibbeha County. He follows R. Hart Bailey, who established the role in 2015. Breazeale serves about 6,000 faculty and staff at four campuses around the state and practices to IOA standards.