Azcarate to become University ombuds officer

Camilo Azcarate, an award-winning mediator and specialist in conflict resolution, will join Princeton University's staff as ombuds officer.

Azcarate, whose appointment is effective Aug. 18, has been at Florida Gulf Coast University since 2000, serving as an ombudsperson and director of the Conflict Resolution Institute in its College of Business. He also has had responsibilities as an equal employment opportunity officer and as a faculty member in the business college.

The ombuds officer at Princeton provides confidential, impartial and informal assistance to faculty, students and staff members who have concerns, conflicts or complaints regarding their work or studies. The ombuds officer also assists the University in achieving the goals outlined in its Statement on Diversity and Community by fostering a more universally welcoming and inclusive campus environment.

Azcarate has been leading the effort to provide conflict resolution services to organizations and institutions throughout Southwest Florida through the Conflict Resolution Institute. It works in partnership with the Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium, for which Azcarate has served as coordinator.

Previously, Azcarate worked for two years as government programs coordinator in the Massachusetts Office of Dispute Resolution, where he mediated and facilitated public policy discussions. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Universidad Javeriana in Colombia. He earned a master's degree in dispute resolution from the University of Massachusetts-Boston, which presented him with the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dispute Resolution and the Don Paulson Award for Excellence in Dispute Resolution. He is a member of Harvard University's Program on International Conflict Analysis and Resolution.

"I am especially delighted to welcome Camilo Azcarate to Princeton as our ombuds officer because his talents at conflict resolution not only have won him awards, they also shine through his wonderfully warm personality," said Princeton Provost Amy Gutmann. "With extensive experience in mediation, Camilo is adept at offering confidential advice to staff, students and faculty members for resolving work-related issues in a university setting."

"Being selected for this position is an honor," Azcarate said. "I was very impressed with how comprehensive the selection process was, which corroborates the value that the University places on the services provided by the ombuds office. I'll work hard to provide high-quality and accessible services so that all members of the Princeton University community can live and work in an environment where they can be most effective."

Azcarate will succeed Anu Rao, who resigned this spring to serve as ombudsperson at Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Enterprises.

Contact: Eric Quinones (609) 258-3601