VCU Appoints New Ombudsperson

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University has appointed William E. King to be the new VCU ombudsperson effective Aug.1.

The ombudsperson is a designated confidential and informal dispute resolution practitioner whose major function is to provide assistance to faculty, staff and postdoctoral trainees. The ombudsperson is an advocate for fairness and listens to complaints, provides information, facilitates communication and helps arrange mediation or conflict resolution.

“I am excited that William King has decided to join us as our new ombudsperson,” said Beverly Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at VCU. “His background and experience in mediation and dispute resolution in an academic environment will be an invaluable resource here at VCU and ensure that our university remains one of collegiality, openness and inclusion.”

King brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education, human resources and work as a university ombudsperson to the position. King most recently served as the ombudsperson at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, a position he held starting in 2006.

Prior to his work in Massachusetts, King worked as the interim director of the human resources and education office for the city of Fort Collins, Colo. From 1994-2003, King was the university ombudsperson for Colorado State University. He also has served in a variety of roles in student affairs and ombuds services for the University of Houston and Emporia State University in Kansas. King is a graduate of Emporia State University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

King replaces Frank Baskind, Ph.D, who has served as ombudsperson since July 2008 and will return to the faculty of the VCU School of Social work at the conclusion of his term.