Villanova University Faculty Ombuds Resource
Providing confidential, impartial support for faculty navigating university concerns and conflict, while Villanova's faculty ombuds,
Meg Willoughby, is out of the office. A trusted place to talk through challenges, explore options, and find constructive ways forward.
Meet Villanova's Interim Ombuds Team
Contact one of the ombuds below to discuss concerns and options for resolution.
Bathabile Mthombeni
Ombuds Team Member
Bathabile is an experienced ombuds, mediator, consultant, and coach. She also provides leadership coaching, facilitation, training to leadership teams and DEIB committees.
Billy Struemke
Ombuds Team Member
Billy is a Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner (CO-OP®) with over a decade of experience providing confidential, impartial, independent, and informal conflict resolution services.
About the Ombuds Resource
How We Can Help
- Listen and provide a confidential space to talk
- Help you clarify concerns and explore options
- Prepare for and navigate difficult conversations
- Identify helpful resources and next steps
- Surface patterns and concerns anonymously to leadership
What We Do Not Do
- Conduct formal investigations
- Make decisions or enforce outcomes
- Advocate for any one person or the organization
- Replace existing resources or legal processes
- Receive official notice for the university
- Keep records that identify you
Ways We Can Support Faculty
In addition to one-on-one support, the ombuds offers a range of services to faculty navigate conflict and work more effectively.
One-on-One Conversations
A confidential space to talk through concerns, clarify options, and prepare for next steps.
Facilitated Conversations
Support for constructive, forward-looking conversations between individuals.
Group Support
Facilitation and support for departments and groups working through challenges, communication issues, or conflict.
Ombuds Standards of Practice
The ombuds operates according to four core principles that help create a safe, fair, and trusted experience.
Confidential
The ombuds will not share what you discuss, or even that you met, without your permission, except in rare situations involving imminent risk of serious harm.
Impartial
The ombuds does not take sides for any individual or the organization.
Informal
The ombuds works outside of, and does not participate in, formal processes.
Independent
The ombuds operates outside management structures and is not part of formal reporting channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
View more questions
More Questions
What is the ombuds resource?
The ombuds is an independent, informal resource for Villanova University faculty to discuss workplace concerns, explore options, and navigate difficult situations in a confidential setting.
Are there limits to confidentiality?
Confidentiality is maintained except in rare situations involving imminent risk of serious harm or where required by law.
Do I need to prepare before reaching out?
No preparation is required. You can come as you are and talk through your situation.
Still have a question? Contact an ombuds team member.
Contact an Ombuds Team Member
Submit a confidential request to connect with an ombuds. A member of the ombuds team will respond within one business day.
Your submission is confidential.
The Villanova University Ombuds Office operates under a charter approved by Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD, Provost, and follows the International Ombuds Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.