The Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Karoline Trovato (she/her) as its first-ever Student Editor. Karoline, a fourth-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Maryland, brings a unique blend of academic excellence, editorial experience, and ombuds practice to the role. She currently serves as the graduate assistant for the UMD Faculty and Staff Ombuds Office, where she has contributed to training, outreach, and research efforts recently co-authoring a published article in JIOA on cultural humility in ombuds practice.

As Student Editor, Karoline will support editorial processes, contribute to the accessibility and visibility of the journal, and lead outreach efforts to engage graduate students and early-career scholars across disciplines. Her commitment to social justice, cultural awareness, and scholarly rigor exemplifies the values at the heart of the journal and the broader ombuds profession.

Karoline will join the JIOA Editorial Board under the leadership of Shannon Lynn Burton, Ph.D., Senior Editor. She will collaborate closely with Associate Editors Hector Escalante-Meza, Hans Kohler, and Julie Farmer, as well as Sarah Ghazal, Production Assistant.

“This is a significant step in the journal’s continued efforts to nurture future leaders in the field,” said Burton. “Karoline’s insight and enthusiasm for the ombuds profession will undoubtedly enrich our work and help build stronger bridges between emerging scholars and established practitioners.”

The addition of a Student Editor represents JIOA’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, innovation, and intellectual engagement within the global ombuds community. For more information about JIOA, visit https://ioa.memberclicks.net/jioa or contact the editorial board at [email protected].