Celebrating the Dedicated Service and Retirement of Chinyere Ukabiala
After years of dedicated service at Grinnell College Chinyere Ukabiala, Ombuds, will mark the conclusion of an illustrious tenure that began in February 2013 when she became Grinnell College's first Ombudsperson with her retirement on June 30.
President Anne F. Harris, shared, “Chinyere’s legacy extends beyond her individual achievements to the lasting impact she has had on our campus culture. Her commitment to constructive problem-solving, effective communication, and conflict resolution has left an indelible mark on all those she has served.”
Throughout her tenure, she has exemplified expertise and effectiveness. With a Juris Doctor degree from Drake University Law School, coupled with her extensive background in civil law practice and mediation in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and Iowa, she brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role. She is a Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner (CO-OP), a member of the International Ombudsman Association, as well as several prestigious legal associations, including the Bar of England and Wales.
Karla Erickson, Professor of Sociology, said, “As the inaugural ombudsman for the College, Chinyere Ukabiala has lead the campus to seek clarity, address and redress persistent and emergent conflicts, and injuries to the well-being of the campus community. Her leadership has defined the Ombuds Office at Grinnell College with the highest standards and she is leaving the campus much improved compared to how she found it. Through her leadership, many faculty, staff and students have acquired new ways of seeing and interacting, and new skills for both avoiding harm and addressing it when it occurs. We are forever in her debt!”
Among her many accomplishments, Ukabiala takes particular pride in building trust in the Office of the Ombuds and fostering a common understanding of its role within our community. She has tirelessly educated faculty, staff, and students about the office's functions and how it collaborates with other parts of the College. Ukabiala’s dedication has significantly contributed to enhancing communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution across our campus.
Mark Peltz, Daniel and Patricia Jipp Finkelman dean of Careers, Life, and Service, shared “There’s no debate; Chinyere brought vision, life, and impact to this campus as our inaugural ombudsperson. She made something beautiful and impactful from scratch. So many, myself included, have benefited from her kindness, empathy, humor, expertise and wisdom. She modeled for all of us what it means to be a thoughtful, skilled, and trustworthy listener, colleague, and leader. I’ll be forever impacted by her presence on this campus, and I know this is true for many others who had the great fortune to work with and learn from Chinyere.”
The search for Ukabiala’s replacement will commence in the coming weeks, ensuring the continuation of the vital services provided by the Office of the Ombuds.
To celebrate her remarkable career and express our gratitude, for her enduring advocacy for and within our community, a retirement reception will be held on Tuesday, April 30, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the 2nd-floor lobby of the Joe Rosenfield ‘25 Center.