Dolores Gomez Moran, Ombudsperson

Dolores Gómez-Morán, George Mason University’s Ombudsperson, was recently named as a Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioner (CO-OP) from the Board of Certification of the International Ombudsman Association (IOA). Because the IOA only recently established the certification process in 2009 Gómez-Morán is now one of only fifty internationally certified Ombudspersons.

According to Gómez-Morán, CO-OP certification is an important achievement for George Mason University, as it shows that the Ombudsman operates and conducts its business to the highest standards of the profession. In addition, the CO-OP credentialing program is a very important step for ombuds offices at large since it helps to promote awareness about the Ombuds office, ensures consistency in maintaining ethical values and standards of practice, can help protect integrity, and enhance the professional development of Ombudsry overall.

Serving as University Ombudsman since 2007, she works with graduate and undergaduate students on problem-solving and conflict resolution, mediating disputes, designing and implementing trainings for the campus community, and also providing recommendations on university policies and procedures. Moreover, she is extensively involved with the ombuds community by participating and presenting on numerous occasions at conferences organized by the International Ombudsman Association, the European Network for Ombudsman in Higher Education, the Mexican University Ombudsmen Network, and the Virginia Mediator Network. She has also recently become a part of a local initiative among Ombudsman in Higher Education in the State of Virginia and is a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR).

For more information visit, http://ombudsman.gmu.edu