Feature: USCA professor becomes campus ombudsman
Has something ever happened to you on campus and you didn’t know who to talk to about getting help? Meet Melencia Johnson.
Melencia Johnson has been teaching in the sociology department since 2012 and has been your Ombudsman since January.
The Ombudsman is the person who will help you if you ever need guidance in navigating a complicated university related issue or provide help registering formal complaints against people on campus.
Johnson wants you to know that she can help if you need assistance understanding or invoking a policy from the student handbook.
She hopes you get used to having an Ombuds on campus and feel comfortable utilizing the service when needed.
Johnson says she’s found the position to be a natural fit for her and that even though the position is only temporary (USCA plans to hire a permanent Ombudsperson later this year), she enjoys the position.
“I’m still doing what I always did. Students usually came to me with complaints and I would have to call the Ombuds [sic],” she said, “to help them figure out what to do next.”
“I’m available,” Johnson emphasized for students in need.
The Ombudsman is available by email at ombuds@usca.edu or by visiting the Ombudsman office in person during office hours(https://www.usca.edu/ombuds).
Image courtesy of USC Aiken Faculty and Staff directory.
