Ombudsperson

Who is your Ombudsperson?

Meet Carissa Ciampaglia, Certified Organizational Ombuds and Certified Mediator!

 Carissa grew up in rural America in a low socioeconomic class household. She completed her BA in 2011, majoring in Studio Art and Psychology. She then traveled throughout the United States and Europe, and lived abroad for over a year in Sarajevo, Bosnia. This is where Carissa found a passion for understanding and resolving conflict as a transformative process. She then moved to CA and completed a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, and Peace Building.

Carissa has held various positions that have honed her skills as a mediator and conflict specialist. She has worked as a Registered Behavior Therapist in mental health, a community Peace Synergist, a Problem Solving case manager, and, a Mediator for small claims and community mediations.

Carissa joined the IU Bloomington Graduate Office in January of 2025, after working in South Los Angeles for several years as an ombudsperson at a small non-profit that served the unhoused population. While Carissa is embedded in the UGS office, her office door is open to any faculty, staff member, or student associated with the graduate experience.

How do you engage the Ombuds?

Currently the Ombuds main office is located at the Herman B. Wells library in the Graduate School Offices. While you are always welcome to walk-in, you may find it easier and more convenient to reach out via email at ombuds@iu.edu or via phone (Office: 812-855-4153). If needed, the Ombuds can be flexible with the meeting space and will work with you to ensure a confidentiality.

The Ombuds takes all concerns and inquiries seriously, and requests that you keep information through these platforms to a minimum as confidentiality is not guaranteed. The Ombuds is happy to answer any questions you may have to the best of their ability.

Request an Appointment

Communication - the Human Connection - is the key to personal and career success." Paul J. Meyer

What is an Ombuds?

Ombuds help manage risk and assist people at all levels of an organization with navigating complex relationships, policies and learning or work environments – while working to instill respect and civility and a concern for equity in the community, organization and professional relationships. 

An ombuds acts as a no-barrier, informal space when seeking information and insight from a trusted advisor who is independent, impartial, and confidential. An ombuds is a safe, credible, accessible, and voluntary resource. They deal with the widest range of concerns and/or conflicts within a university setting, exploring and analyzing all options. 

Ombuds can empower you to overcome disputes, conflicts, and barriers that stand in the way of reaching your full potential. Ombuds complement traditional HR, legal and compliance channels and departments, and help build a culture of engagement that can save costs and improve the learning environment.  

What does an Ombuds do?

Ombuds offer a safe place that permits confidential communications. They provide a space for individuals to discuss options and process before they take action. They listen and help frame issues to navigate a broad spectrum of situations and issues. They act as a confidential resource to discuss options for reporting misconduct or managing and resolving conflicts. They conduct coaching, mediation and dispute resolution if needed.

Ombuds can help by:  

  • Analyzing a problem and identifying options. 
  • Explaining relevant policies and procedures.  
  • Clarifying the channels available to follow.  
  • Providing neutral, confidential advice.  
  • Assisting parties in resolving disputes. 

What are the Standards of Practice?

INDEPENDENT - An ombuds is not part of the management of an organization and does not represent the individuals they work with.  

IMPARTIAL - An ombuds does not take sides and instead works to develop options to address or surface issues that support empowerment and fair process -- for those seeking assistance and for the organization.  

CONFIDENTIAL - An ombuds will protect your identity and the confidential information you share, unless the ombuds determines there is an imminent threat of serious harm.  

INFORMAL - Visiting an ombuds doesn’t trigger a formal investigation often typical of HR or legal processes. Speaking with an ombuds is always off-the-record. Ombuds do not retain permanent records of confidential communications. 

Terms Of Service

The Indiana University, Bloomington Graduate School, Ombuds Office provides services and operates under the principles of the International Ombuds Association (IOA), including the core values of independence, impartiality, informality, and confidentiality. The ombuds is a purely voluntary resource for you; you choose when you want to work with us. This means that you may share information with the ombuds without initiating any formal university process. The ombuds does not routinely keep records of information that you share. When you decide to work with an ombuds, you agree to the principles under which the Office operates. This means that the Ombuds will not appear as a witness in a proceeding internal to the university. Statements made or information provided to a member of the ombuds office do not constitute notice to the university of any potential claim or concern. All communications with the Ombudsperson are considered pre-mediation communications by the Ombuds Office. In exchange for use of the Ombuds Office services, visitors understand and agree not to request the Ombudsperson to testify and not to record any visits either in person or virtually.