Announcing the Search for CMU’s Student and Faculty Ombudsperson

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to share that a search committee has been formed to identify an individual to serve as the student and faculty ombudsperson, a new position at Carnegie Mellon. This exciting next step culminates from community feedback identifying a critical need for this role at CMU. 

The student and faculty ombudsperson position was established to promote a respectful, inclusive, accountable climate at CMU. The individual selected for this role will provide confidential, impartial assistance to students and faculty in resolving work or interpersonal issues in administrative or academic settings. Offering a neutral forum, they will help individuals voice concerns, explore options, problem-solve, and ensure fair treatment. Through close collaboration across offices, they will provide guidance to informally resolve complex problems and develop cooperative strategies. Reporting directly to me as provost, they will provide regular updates to university leaders, including trends, areas of opportunity and recommendations for improvement. 

The search committee will be led by Patience Whitworth, associate vice provost for student success and strategic initiatives. The committee members are:

• Shelley Anna, Vice Provost for Faculty
• Denise Fazio, Director, Office of Faculty Senate
• Kyle Hynes, Undergraduate Student Senate representative
• Kevin Jarbo, Assistant Professor, Social and Decision Sciences, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Bryan Koval, Director of Student Support Resources, Student Affairs
• Ayana Ledford, Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Zia Lyle, Graduate Student Assembly representative
• Dan McNulty, Assistant General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel
• Asma Naushad Motiwala, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Jennifer Pablonis, Staff Ombudsperson, Human Resources
• Elizabeth Rosemeyer, Assistant Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Title IX Coordinator, Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
• Maggie Sikora, Director for Graduate and Post-Doctoral Affairs, Office of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Affairs

In collaboration with the search firm, Ferra Executive Search, the committee will contribute to the development of evaluation criteria, and participate in semi-finalist and finalist interviews. Ultimately, they will recommend and identify an individual to serve in this inaugural role.

To learn more about the position or to submit referrals or applications, visit the CMU jobs website or contact Kevin Ferra, founding partner of Ferra Executive Search, at kevin@ferrasearch.com.

Sincerely,

James H. Garrett Jr.
Provost and Chief Academic Officer