Mallory Martin-Ferguson has been named the University of Michigan student ombuds serving the Ann Arbor campus under the Division of Student Life. She will join Student Life before the fall semester begins. 

Martin-Ferguson succeeds Tom Lehker, a longtime U-M employee and U-M alumnus who retired in July after serving in the student ombuds role since 2010. 

The Ann Arbor campus maintains one full-time student ombuds who serves all Ann Arbor undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The Office of the Student Ombuds offers students a confidential, neutral and informal resource for questions, complaints and concerns about the functioning of the university. 

The office operates independently as a supplement to existing administrative and formal dispute resolution processes and has no formal decision-making authority. The office is not an advocate for either side in a dispute. Instead, the Ombuds Office is an impartial advocate for fair and consistent treatment. 

“I am honored to serve as the student ombuds and to support students as they navigate their Michigan experience,” Martin-Ferguson said. “My hope is to provide a space where students feel heard, respected, and empowered to find solutions to their concerns.”

Vice President for Student Life Martino Harmon praised Martin-Ferguson’s mix of experience and empathy in her work and welcomed her appointment to the Office of the Student Ombuds.

“Mallory brings a wealth of experience in the areas of conflict and dispute resolution, policy oversight and administration, community development, and student support,” Harmon said. “I am thrilled to welcome Mallory back to Student Life as our new Student Ombuds.” 

Martin-Ferguson has worked at U-M for over 12 years including roles in the Rackham Graduate School and in Student Life. She currently serves as director of Graduate Student and Program Consultation Services in Rackham. Before that she worked as a conflict resolution and academic support specialist in the Rackham Dean’s Office. 

Prior to moving over to Rackham she worked here in Student Life as assistant director, and later associate director of Housing Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.