Who We Are
Importance of Office/Value to UNM
- Ombuds Services helps people reduce the human and organizational costs of conflict. When people engage our services, we support them in building communication and collaboration.
- Our mission is to promote a culture of collaboration and constructive conflict management on campus.
Meet Our Team
Pictured from left to right: Marie Parks, Anne Lightsey (retired), Heidi Ricci, Aasma Batool, JoEllen Ransom, Rachel Yarrington (not pictured)
JoEllen Ransom, J.D., CO-OP®, Ombuds
As Ombuds, I support your efforts to build communication and collaboration. My background includes work as a mediator (since 1987), lawyer, adjunct faculty, facilitator, hearing officer, trainer and constructive conflict management program designer/coordinator. In each of these roles, I have been inspired by how effectively people can reduce human suffering and reduce the organizational costs of conflict by engaging in collaborative processes.
With Ombuds Services, you take a constructive approach to addressing workplace concerns. You have my respect and support in your efforts to be proactive about improving your situation in an informal and confidential setting. You also have my commitment to integrity in our work. I look forward to hearing from you.
JoEllen's Commitment to Confidentiality Pledge
Heidi Ricci, Associate Ombuds
It was my pleasure to accept the position of Associate Ombuds in the fall of 2023. In my nearly twenty years as a mediator, I have been a trainer, workshop developer, conference presenter, and co-author of a book on conflict management. I have also served as faculty in the UNM Communication & Journalism Department for nine years.
As both Ombuds and a faculty member, I understand the value of a having a neutral, unbiased, and confidential person to talk to, and it is my privilege to be part of an Ombuds team that provides a safe space for our UNM community to work through their options, collaborate with others, and—most importantly—just be heard.
Heidi's Commitment to Confidentiality Pledge
Rachel Yarrington, Associate Ombuds
Conflict can be transformative, and I am committed to helping visitors navigate difficult conversations with clarity, dignity, and purpose. Serving the UNM community is especially meaningful to me, as it is where I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling.
Prior to joining the UNM Ombuds Office, I served as an Ombuds Specialist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in New Mexico and a National Certified Counselor. I am the owner of Relational Intelligence Center, where I have provided psychotherapy and mediation services to New Mexico residents since 2018.
With advanced training in Motivational Interviewing and Nonviolent Communication, I collaborate with visitors to identify strengths and develop practical strategies for resolving conflict and creating lasting, constructive change.
Rachel's Commitment to Confidentiality Pledge
Aasma Batool, Ombuds Project Assistant
I am a graduate student in the College of Education, doing my PhD in Language Literacy & Sociocultural Studies with my major in TESOL. I served as a graduate ombuds through Graduate Services starting in the Fall 2020 semester. More recently, I joined the Ombuds Services team as Graduate Assistant Ombuds. If you are seeking resources or conflict management support, please contact me.
Aasma's Commitment to Confidentiality Pledge
Marie Parks, Administrative Assistant to Ombuds Services
In addition to being a certified mediator, I am our team’s administrative assistant, meaning I'm often the first person you interact with when you reach out to our office. I strive to be a welcoming and supportive resource to connect you with our experienced ombuds. My top priority is to uphold Ombuds Services’ commitment to taking a fully confidential, neutral, informal, and independent approach.
It is truly a pleasure to work with Ombuds Services as we continue to foster collaborative communication within the UNM community and beyond.
Marie's Commitment to Confidentiality Pledge
History of Office
UNM Ombuds Services was originally created in 1994 as The Dispute Resolution Department. In 2010, UNM created Ombuds/Dispute Resolution for Staff. This change connected us by name with the International Ombuds Association (IOA). Our ethical code and standards of practice are best expressed by the IOA.
In 2013, Ombuds/DR for Staff changed our name to Ombuds Services and began the process of earning the IOA COOP designation (Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner) for each ombuds. Requests for services more than doubled with high satisfaction rates.
In 2022, the Graduate Student Ombuds joined Ombuds Services and began the process of earning the COOP designation.
In 2023, the Faculty Ombuds/DR was consolidated with Ombuds Services, to be served by an ombuds with COOP designation following Ombuds Services practices.
Today, we serve UNM employees, their co-workers, and graduate students, in addition to collaborating with partners across a number of institutions.
