Appointment of Mark Patterson as Director of Conflict Resolution Services and Ombuds
December 12, 2024
Dear Campus Community,
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Patterson as Cal Poly Pomona’s inaugural Director of Conflict Resolution Services and Ombuds. He will assume the role on January 6, 2025 and will report directly to me.
I am proud of the deep collaboration that has resulted in the creation of this role and the recruitment of Mr. Patterson as the incumbent, as it demonstrates the shared governance process in action in service to our community. In making this appointment, we are collectively taking an important step in fostering and advancing a campus environment aligned with our Principles of Community, grounded in respect, growth, belonging and integrity.
Mr. Patterson’s appointment marks the culmination of nearly three years of thoughtful study, design and fastidious work by members of our campus community to understand the standards and models of Ombuds practice and the particular needs of our campus to enhance our capacity to engage with conflict. This journey began with our Academic Senate and was advanced by several working groups. The Office of Conflict Resolution Services and Ombuds will develop programs for students, faculty and staff that enhance culture and climate, enliven a sense of community and belonging and advance the university’s mission and vision as an inclusive polytechnic institution.
Mr. Patterson brings an exceptional breadth of experience to this role. Most recently, he served as ombuds officer at CSU Channel Islands, where he established a new office to support over 8,000 eligible campus visitors. Over five years, Mr. Patterson provided confidential conflict resolution services, facilitated group discussions and developed innovative educational programs. His leadership extended to the President’s Advisory Council for Exclusive Excellence where he implemented campus-wide equity initiatives, including the creation of an “Equity Lens Framework” for policy review.
Previously, Mr. Patterson served as University Ombuds at the College of William & Mary, where he reinvigorated the university’s conflict resolution programs. He also served as a judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force for over two decades, during which he provided legal counsel globally and developed expertise in negotiation, ethics and organizational leadership. He holds a Master of Laws Degree in International Dispute Resolution from Fordham University School of Law, a Juris Doctor degree from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Marietta College. He received the General Counsel Forum David Weaver Prize, the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.
The Office of Conflict Resolution Services will serve as an accessible entry point for all community members at all levels of the university with a dual purpose of listening/providing guidance as well as building the capacity of individuals and groups to navigate and resolve conflicts. The office will be located on the first floor of Building 1 and he will develop the priorities for the office and its charter according to the needs of the CPP campus community. While Mr. Patterson officially begins his role at the start of the new year, the office will formally open later in the spring semester to allow him time to engage with the campus community, define priorities and initiate programming.
This office will serve as a trusted, neutral resource for faculty, staff and students, offering confidential conflict resolution services, mediation and training programs that align with our campus values and aspirations. It will also contribute to a broader community of practice supporting institutional culture and cohesion.
I extend my gratitude to the search committee for their dedication and thoughtful engagement throughout this process. Special thanks go to Professor Jill Hargis for her leadership as chair and for her prior work co-chairing the faculty working group on the Ombuds, together with Julie Shen. I also thank the campus community for their active participation, underscoring our collective commitment to this important initiative.
Please join me in welcoming Mark Patterson to Cal Poly Pomona. Together, we look forward to the continued growth of our campus as a model of collaboration, respect and inclusion.
Sincerely,
Soraya M. Coley, Ph.D.
President
Search Committee Members
Jill Hargis (Chair), Professor, Political Science, College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Denisse Helena Vasquez Guevara I, Assistant Professor, Communications Department, College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Mario Guerrero, Department Chair, Political Science, College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Tamer Omar, Assistant Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
Carrie Shu Shang, Assistant Professor, Finance, Real Estate, and Law, College of Business Administration
Eniko St. Clair, Assistant Professor, Music, College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Jennifer Switkes, Professor, Mathematics & Statistics, College of Science
Jesus Avalos, Manager, Strategic Learning and Organizational Effectiveness Initiatives, EODA /HR Operations
Camille Johnson, Dean, College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Casandra Horner, Administrative Coordinator, Academic Senate
Victoria Avalos, Operations and Program Coordinator, Office of Equity and Compliance
Aadi Mehta, ASI Senator-at-Large, Student Interest Council
Leah Espinoza, Operations Manager, EODA/HR Operations