Stephanie J. Lee named OU ombudsperson

With the beginning of a new semester comes a new role for a longtime Oakland University administrator.

Stephanie J. Lee, Ed.D., has been named to fill the newly created position of University Ombudsperson. Her role began August 18, 2025 in preparation for the Fall 2025 semester. 

Stephanie J. Lee

Dr. Lee, who has served Oakland University in a number of capacities for the last 31 years, will assist students, faculty and staff in resolving conflicts and disputes through informal mediation, coaching and problem solving.

As OU's inaugural ombudsperson, she will also help clarify policies and procedures and advise individuals on available options to resolve complaints, as well as develop and implement policies and procedures to promote fair treatment and ethical behavior.

In a broad sense, the role includes identifying problem areas and patterns of problematic behavior, as well as recommending appropriate change.

"Stephanie has cultivated a strong reputation as a trusted and effective liaison among faculty, staff, students and senior leaders," said University Chief of Staff Joshua Merchant, to whom Dr. Lee will report.

Merchant noted that she will join Title IX and Compliance Director Chad Martinez to coordinate ongoing support and service to students, faculty and staff.

Merchant thanked Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer Glenn McIntosh, Vice President for Human Resources Joi Cunningham and Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs Nivedita Mukherji for serving as members of the search committee that identified Lee as a top candidate for ombudsperson. He also offered special thanks to Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Amy Thompson for her support and commitment to the role during a time of transition in that office.

Since August 2002, Dr. Lee has served as an administrative associate in the Office of Academic Affairs. In this capacity, she has overseen community engagement initiatives, led executive-level searches, evaluated and addressed division concerns and complaints, and directed daily operations and workflow processes, among other responsibilities.

Dr. Lee has also served as an interim director of continuing education, professional development and summer programming; as an MBA site administrator and assessment assistant; as an office assistant and as a clerk.

She possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Oakland, a Master of Arts in Education Instruction from Central Michigan University and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Oakland.