Dr. Ryan Smith has served as an Assistant University Ombudsperson since 2018. In this role, he works with members of the university community as they navigate conflict and complex university policies, and manage challenging situations. Ryan brings a calm and collaborative approach to helping individuals explore options and move forward with confidence. Prior to joining MSU, Ryan’s career included work in student conduct, student activities, and residence life. He also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Albania. Ryan currently serves on the Board of the European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education, where he is also involved in the Research and Publications Committee and the Training and Programming Workgroup. He has previously served as co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Ombuds Committee and as chair of the ABA’s Ombuds Day Subcommittee.
Ryan holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education and an M.A. in International Development from the University of Denver, as well as a B.A. in history from Regis University. He is a Certified Workplace Mediator and Trainer in Conflict Resolution through the Eckert College Mediation Training Institute and a Certified Human Resources Specialist (CHRS) through the MSU School of Human Resources and Labor Relations. He continues to draw on his background in mediation, conflict coaching, and restorative justice to support fair, accessible, and empowering pathways for problem solving and enhancing communication throughout the university.
Recent Publications:
Meiser, U. & Smith, R. (2025). Navigating Hierarchy: A Comparative Examination of the Role of Academic Ombuds in Germany and the United States. The Ombuds Chronicle: Dialogues in Higher Education. https://enohe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/OmbudsChronicle_Vol.1.pdf
Burton, S. & Smith, R. (2025). History of Organizational Ombuds Practice. In S. Burton & L. Keashly (Eds.), The Organizational Ombuds: Foundations, Fundamentals, & Its Future. International Ombuds Association.
Smith, R. (2024). Towards a Comparative Approach to Ombudsing: Creating an International Framework for Ombuds Research and Practice. ENOHE Yearbook. https://enohe.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ENOHE-Yearbook-2024.pdf.
Smith, R. (2022). Reconsidering the Ombuds as Advocate or Subversive Bureaucrat: Exploring the Foundations of the University Ombuds. Journal of the International Ombudsman Association. https://www.ombudsassociation.org/assets/docs/JIOA_Articles/2022_JIOA_O.pdf.
Smith, R. (2020). A Brief History of the Student Ombudsman: The Early Evolution of the Role in US Higher Education. Journal of the International Ombudsman Association. https://www.ombudsassociation.org/assets/docs/JIOA_Articles/JIOA-2019-H.pdf.
