KU Ombuds Day will include 'A Conversation with Thomas Zgambo'

Mon, 09/25/2023

David Day

LAWRENCE — Students, faculty and staff who are not sure how to resolve conflicts or issues at the University of Kansas can turn to the Ombuds Office for help. The ombuds staff offers guidance and support to empower individuals in navigating situations and developing strategies to move forward.

This year in celebration of Ombuds Day on Oct. 12, the KU Ombuds Office is promoting a webinar featuring Thomas Zgambo, ombudsman for the International Monetary Fund, whose career spans more than 26 years at Polaroid, Coca-Cola, MIT and World Bank. The webinar, “A Conversation with Thomas Zgambo,” will be co-moderated by Herschenia Brown, KU associate ombuds, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 12.

To register for the Ombuds Day 2023 webinar, visit webinar registration - Zoom.

The theme for Ombuds Day 2023 is “Ombuds: Diverse in Role, United in Service.” In recognition this year, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly will issue a state proclamation to designate Oct. 12 as Ombuds Day 2023.

Ombuds Day is an annual event created by the American Bar Association in 2018 to recognize the profession on the second Thursday of October. Ombuds (originally termed “ombudsman” or “ombudsperson”) have been around for centuries and have steadily gained traction as a critical part of dispute resolution systems in academia, government, corporations and nonprofit organizations. The day is celebrated around the globe with many ombuds posting their stories and passion for their careers.

Organizational ombuds operate within four standards of practice as designed by the International Ombuds Association:

Confidentiality
Informality
Neutrality
Independence

Established in 1977, the KU Ombuds Office has celebrated Ombuds Day the past several years with the KU community in a variety of ways, bringing awareness to the unique position of the profession in serving individuals in organizations.

The KU Ombuds Office team also includes Ada Emmett, university ombuds; Mike Rozinsky, part-time and outgoing associate ombuds; and Molly Altman, administrative associate for the office. To learn more about KU’s Ombuds Office, visit the Ombuds Office website.