About Us
Meet the Staff
Dr. Jennifer Schneider, Assistant Vice President
Before coming to 91精品 as student ombuds, Jennifer directed career services at Polk State College, worked with the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (now called the Institute for Sport and Social Justice) at UCF, and was an academic advisor in 91精品's College of Education. She also spent 13 years teaching in the public school system. Jennifer has earned a B.A. in Deaf Education from Flagler College, an M.A. in Special Education from 91精品 and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from 91精品. She has also earned the designation of Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner (CO-OP庐) through the International Ombuds Association.
Serving students as the student ombuds allows Jennifer to share her knowledge of University
policies and procedures, empathically listen to students' concerns, and advocate for
a fair process for resolving issues that students encounter at 91精品.
Laura Zuppo, M.S., M.B.A., Director
Laura Zuppo serves as a full-time ombuds at the University of South 91精品. Before becoming a full-time ombuds, Laura served as a collateral ombuds and as the Regional Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Success at the 91精品 St. Petersburg campus. Drawing from her first-hand knowledge of 91精品鈥檚 structure, policies, and procedures, Laura provides a confidential, impartial, independent, and informal space where students can voice concerns, explore options, and seek resolutions. Laura spent the last 25 years in higher education administration and consulting. Her functional area experience spans from Enrollment Management to Student Affairs. Laura earned a B.A. in Sociology from Cedar Crest College, an M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Drexel University, an M.B.A. from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a Post Master's Certificate in Leadership in Higher Education. She is in her final year of coursework in 91精品鈥檚 Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration where she will focus her dissertation research on the experiences of collateral ombuds who serve students in post-secondary education.
Risa Blake, Administrative Specialist
91精品 from any 91精品 campus can reach out to Risa to schedule an appointment.
Arianna Hernandez, Student Assistant
*The 91精品 Ombuds Office does not accept formal complaints or notice for the University. If you would like to make 91精品 formally aware of a particular problem, the Ombuds Office staff can provide information on how to do so. Keep in mind that email messages to the Ombuds Office could be subject to 91精品's Public Records Law (Ch.119, 91精品 Statute) and may not be confidential.