Mason’s ombuds team hosts regional gathering, outreach events

Lauren Reuscher — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:30:34 +0000

Mason’s ombuds team hosts regional gathering, outreach events Lauren Reuscher Mon, 11/20/2023 - 16:30

More about the Office of the University Ombudsperson

��ӽ紫ý’s Office of the University Ombudsperson hosted a program for academic ombudpersons at the Potomac Science Center on Oct. 20. This gathering was an opportunity for ombuds from around the region to share and learn from each other’s experiences.

Mason’s Ombudsperson Kimberly Jackson Davidson (pictured front, second from right), Program Coordinator Sarah Ahmed Atif (front, center), and other academic ombudspersons from Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland gathered at the Potomac Science Center for a day of professional development and collaboration. Photo provided.

Mason’s Office of the University Ombudsperson celebrated its first anniversary this fall with a series of outreach events. As ombudsperson, Kimberly Jackson Davidson provides an independent, informal, impartial, and confidential resource to students, faculty, and staff. The ombuds fosters an environment of respect, honesty, fairness, and integrity and bolsters a supportive working and learning climate at the university.

The anniversary celebration coincided with Mason’s formal adoption of the ombuds charter in October 2022. Since then, the office has addressed over 140 specific situations and served more than 160 visitors.

Topics

Campus News

Faculty and Staff News

University Ombudsperson

Potomac Science Center

��ӽ紫ý chooses experienced administrator trained in mediation as ombudsperson

Colleen Rich — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 20:38:58 +0000

��ӽ紫ý chooses experienced administrator trained in mediation as ombudsperson Colleen Rich Thu, 12/09/2021 - 15:38

��ӽ紫ý has named Kimberly Davidson as University Ombudsperson. Photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones

Fairfax, Va. – ��ӽ紫ý has named Kimberly Davidson as University Ombudsperson, a new position within the university. Davidson, who has more than 20 years of experience in higher education administration, has demonstrated throughout her career a deep commitment to building momentum for change and fostering an inclusive culture.

Davidson comes to Mason from Oberlin College, a private liberal arts college in Ohio, where she served in a variety of professional positions for over two decades, including for the past five years as the Oberlin College Ombudsperson. Davidson is an informed practitioner of alternative dispute resolution methods, including social justice mediation and conflict management coaching.

Davidson officially joins Mason in February 2022.

“I love how young Mason is and how it is imbued with a sense of innovation and dedication to thoughtfully responding to the needs of its stakeholders,” Davidson said. “I’m happy to be joining the family at ��ӽ紫ý and grateful for this incredible opportunity to help the university shift into a new period in its growth.”

The role of University Ombudsperson was created to ensure that the university continues to expand its culturally inclusive environment. The office will serve as a neutral place where faculty can talk in confidence about issues, concerns or disputes. The University Ombudsperson will be tasked with developing the resources and tools to aid university constituents in fostering a culture of respect, collaboration and mediation.

As University Ombudsperson, Davidson will be responsible for assisting individuals and groups in determining options to help resolve conflicts or concerns and bring systemic matters to the attention to the university for resolution. In her new role, Davidson will be an advocate for fairness and a source of information and referral. In addition, she will assist in the resolution of concerns and critical situations.

“We are thrilled to have Kim Davidson at the helm of this important new office at Mason,” said Ken Walsh, vice president for strategic initiatives and chief of staff, Office of the President. “With her demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive environment within higher education, she’ll encourage and strengthen our culture of diversity, inclusion and excellence.”

Davidson grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia, before attending Spelman College in Atlanta, where she received her BA in English. Davidson also has an MA in African languages, literatures and linguistics from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Davidson started her career at Oberlin as a visiting lecturer in African American studies, and then went on to serve in a variety of roles including associate dean of students.

The new ombuds office is a much-needed, important resource for supporting Mason faculty and helping all of us the navigate the difficult situations that will inevitably occur from time to time at such a large institution,” said Melissa A. Broeckelman-Post, associate professor in the Department of Communication and chair of the Faculty Senate. “I'm so glad that Ms. Davidson will be joining Mason and look forward to working with her.”

About ��ӽ紫ý
��ӽ紫ý is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than 39,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. Learn more at www.gmu.edu.

Topics

Press Release

Press Releases

Campus News

University Ombudsperson

University Ombudsperson

Mason’s ombuds team hosts regional gathering, outreach events

More about the Office of the University Ombudsperson

Topics

���ӽ紫ý chooses experienced administrator trained in mediation as ombudsperson

Topics

��ӽ紫ý chooses experienced administrator trained in mediation as ombudsperson