Online Course Surveys the Ombuds Field

A new course, "Ombudsman: A Unique Role in Dispute Resolution," is now available on Coursera, a global online learning platform that provides access to courses from leading universities and organizations. Developed in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder, a Coursera partner that served as the academic and production home for the course, and co-curated by Liz Hill and Ken Skodacek, the course offers an accessible introduction to Ombuds roles, models, and the shared values that guide the work across sectors and countries. Nearly 150 ombuds from around the globe participated in and supported the development of the content. The course is designed for those exploring the ombuds field, as well as colleagues, leaders, and decision-makers seeking a clearer understanding of how ombuds programs function.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Opens Internal Search for Ombuds

The private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts, is soliciting applications from employees members interested in serving as the next Staff Ombuds. The position will join the Facutly Ombuds, Kristin Wobbe (director of WPI's Center for Project-Based Learning). The WPI Ombuds serve faculty, staff, and students and practice to IOA standards. Applications are due by February 2, 2026. (WPI News.)

Farmingdale State College Rolls Out Ombuds Program

The State University of New York at Farmingdale is introducing its new Ombuds Team at information sessions this semester. Five Ombuds will provide services to 10,000 students and 1,700 employees at the campus in Nassau County. The founding group of Ombuds was introduced by Farmingdale's president last summer and include: 

Utah Valley University Selects Next Ombuds

In October 2025, Victoria Cruz began as the Assistant Director of Conflict Resolution & Ombuds for the large public university in Orem. She primarily serves a student population of about 37,000 and also works with faculty and staff. (UVU faculty with inter-faculty issues are also served by the Faculty Ombuds, Natalie Grecu.)

Conflict Resolution Framework Developed by Ombuds Practitioner

Kira Nurieli, an Organizational Ombuds and conflict resolution consultant, has developed a new conflict-navigation framework known as 3D Harmony. The model is structured around three core elements of dignity, dialogue, and discovery, and is intended for use in workplace and organizational conflict settings. 

Longtime Ombuds at University of Colorado Denver|Anschutz Retires

According to a campus press release, Melissa Connell, CO-OP, the director of the Ombuds Office for CU Anschutz and CU Denver retired in December 2025. She had served in the role since August 1997. The university said that her "institutional knowledge and ability to adapt to the evolving needs of the campuses made her a valuable resource to staff, faculty, students and administrators." In the wake of her departure, CU Denver and CU Anschutz will separate their Ombuds offices, with the Anschutz Ombuds office merging with the Office of Adaptive Resolution. 

IOA Group Highlights Growth of K-12 Ombuds

The International Ombuds Association’s K–12 Ombuds Workgroup convened on January 15, 2026, to examine national trends in K–12 Ombuds services and their implications for public education. Monique Bookstein, Ombuds for Prince William County Public Schools, facilitated the meeting, which highlighted the continued expansion of K-12 Ombuds programs across the U.S. The workgroup noted that every state and territory now has at least one education Ombuds role, with rising case volume signaling increased reliance on Ombuds services. 

Job Posting: OPEC Fund for International Development

The intergovernmental development bank of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has issued a Request for Expression of Interest for consultant Ombuds services. The new position will serve about 250 OPEC Fund employees for eight days a month for an initial one-year term. Although services will be provided remotely, travel to OPEC headquarters in Vienna is required. The work is anticipated to start in April 2026. 

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.)

JIOA Call for Papers: Models for Ombuds Programs

The Journal of the International Ombuds Association is seeking articles for a special issue, "Organizational Ombuds Models: Structures, Strategies, and Implications for Practice." The issue will feature original research articles, case studies, theoretical perspectives, and practice-based insights from scholars and practitioners examining Ombuds program models across industries.

Podcast: Ombuds and Coach Talks About Intersecting Conflict

Lexi Wolfe, CO-OP, is the most recent guest on the Blessed Be Podcast hosted by Robert Polanco and Dawn. (She is the fourth Ombuds to be featured on the pod.) Wolfe shares insights from more than a decade of experience as an Ombuds, International Coaching Federation Certified Coach, and consultant working with individuals, teams, and organizations engage conflict more productively.

Job Posting: Cornell University

The Ivy League university in Ithaca, New York, has reopened a search for an Assistant Ombuds. (The position was not filled after a search in late 2025.) The new, full-time position will join the University Ombuds, Bruce Lewenstein, and Assistant Ombuds, Ati Alipour. This is a new position and not a replacement for the role held by Linda Falkson, who retired last yearposition. The Assistant Ombuds is an on-campus position that serves faculty, staff, and students (excluding Weill Cornell Medicine).

ADB Ombudsperson Reports Rising Complexity in 2024 Cases

The Asian Development Bank’s Office of the Ombudsperson reported handling 474 cases in 2024, involving 1,828 issues, an increase in overall issue volume despite a decline in the number of cases and individuals served. ADB's Ombuds, Wayne Blair said the data reflects a shift in case complexity, with the case-to-issue ratio rising to 1:4 from 1:3 in 2023. (This is Blair's last report as his term as Ombuds is ending.)

Vermont Legislature to Consider Statewide Ombuds Program

Earlier this week, Xusana Davis, the State of Vermont’s Executive Director of Racial Equity, submitted her annual report to the state legislature assessing progress on racial equity efforts. In that report, Davis proposes creating an independent, state-level Office of Collaborative Action and Ombuds Services. According to the report the new program would "fill an unserved gap between the portfolios of the Ethics Commission, the Human Rights Commission, the Chief Performance Office, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Department of Human Resources. 

Journal of IOA: Managing Professional Conflicts Between Ombuds

The latest article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association is "We’re Human, Too: Conflict Among Ombuds." The authors are Tessa Tompkins Byer, the University Ombuds at Clemson University, and Scott B. Cantor, an Ombuds for The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. They explore the underexamined issue of conflict between Ombuds professionals and provide practical strategies to normalize and manage these disputes effectively. The full article is now available online.