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The UMass Amherst Ombuds Office has announced the appointment of Kenneth Russell as associate ombudsperson.

Russell joins University Ombudsperson Colette Carmouche and Kristen Ferrell, the office’s manager, making the Ombuds Office fully operational following the completion of a transitional period of contracted ombuds services. During the 2025-26 academic year, the Ombuds Office will work to re-establish its on-campus presence and increase the visibility of their services.

Russell is a scholar-practitioner dedicated to supporting individuals, institutions and communities in developing competency and capacity for dialogue, problem solving and conflict management. Prior to joining UMass Amherst, he was a graduate research fellow for the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. At Michigan State University, he collaborated with faculty in the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education program to develop a doctoral program focused on equity-minded leadership and served on the President’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Planning Committee. Previously, he served as director of diversity and multicultural affairs at Cornerstone University.

Russell holds a doctorate in higher, adult and lifelong education from Michigan State University, a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana Wesleyan University. He has also completed certifications in negotiation, mediation and inclusive facilitation.

More information about the Ombuds Office and the services it provides can be found at umass.edu/ombuds.