Tyler Smith has been the University Ombuds since July, 2019. Tyler previously served as an Associate Ombuds at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from July 2014 to July 2019. While at the NIH, Tyler helped a diverse population of more than 25,000 scientists, fellows, students, administrative staff and executives address and resolve a range of work and lab-related challenges and conflicts.
Before entering the ombuds profession, Tyler spent several years working as a Staff Member, AmeriCorps Volunteer and Graduate Assistant at The Bosserman Center for Conflict Resolution, a nonprofit organization in Salisbury, Maryland, that fosters local, national and international peace building through the teaching, training and research of conflict resolution practices. Tyler was trained extensively as a mediator and mediated numerous interpersonal, group and organizational disputes. He also provided facilitation services and conflict resolution training to members of the local community. Tyler earned a M.A. in Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution from Salisbury University in 2014.
Tyler is deeply committed to the ongoing growth and development of his own practice, as well as the advancement of the ombuds and conflict resolutions fields. He often provides mentoring and consultation for new ombuds colleagues. He was formally a member of the Coalition of Federal Ombudsman and a member of the Board of Directors for Community Mediation Maryland. Tyler is currently a member of the International Ombudsman Association, where he co-chairs a subcommittee on Research and Assessment.
