University Ombuds Role Transition and Interim Search Launched
Dear Colleagues,
As the University of Kansas prepares for the June retirement of Ada Emmett, our University Ombuds, we want to begin by expressing our sincere appreciation for Ada’s service and the important support she has provided members of the KU community. Please join us in thanking her for her service to KU and wishing her well at this important milestone in her work life.
Evaluating Alignment with One KU Offices and Services
Even though the Ombuds Office annually assesses and reports on its service and constituent satisfaction, this transition presents a timely opportunity for the University to thoughtfully consider how the Ombuds role should be shaped moving forward. With the continued evolution of services across central offices — including the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX (OCRTIX), Human Resources, the Office of Risk and Compliance, and the University’s broader movement toward One KU — now is an appropriate time to review how the Ombuds role aligns and complements existing and emerging campus support structures.
To support this effort, we have convened a committee charged with thoroughly reviewing the current Ombuds role and recommending whether and how it should evolve to best meet the needs of the University community. The committee will submit its findings to us upon completion of its review.
Ombuds Role Review Committee
- Jeff Chasen, Committee Chair, Assistant Vice Chancellor – Human Resources
- Jessica Chilcoat, Associate Director – SSC & Staff Senate President
- Natalie Holick, Associate Vice Chancellor – Office of Risk and Compliance
- Lauren McKown, Associate Vice Chancellor – OCRTIX
- Kelly Nash, Associate General Counsel – Office of the General Counsel
- Alesia Woszidlo, Associate Professor – Communication Studies
- Kianna Csolle, Graduate Student – Applied Behavioral Science
Serving Near-term Needs
To ensure continuity of service during this review period, the University will immediately launch an internal search for an Interim University Ombuds to serve the Lawrence and Edwards campuses. The interim appointment will ensure the essential functions of the role continue while the review committee completes its work and formulates its recommendations.
Employees across all KU campuses who are interested in serving in the Interim University Ombuds role are encouraged to apply and consider how their experience and perspective could contribute to supporting the KU Lawrence and Edwards community during this transition.
Following the conclusion of the committee’s review, the University will conduct a search for a permanent Ombuds. That search will be informed by a position description shaped by the committee’s recommendations and aligned with the University’s evolving needs.
We anticipate sharing additional updates with the University community early in the fall semester, including information about the review committee’s progress and next steps.
Sincerely,
Douglas A. Girod
Chancellor
Arash Mafi, Ph.D.
Chief Academic Officer, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor