Paul Caffera is the University of Mississippi's second, and longest-serving, Ombuds. A seasoned dispute-resolution practitioner who is also experienced negotiating contracts, conducting training, hiring and supervising employees, staff development, and managing teams, departments, and budgets. Paul came to UM in February of 2017. Paul grew up in coastal New Jersey, earned a B.S. in life science and four varsity letters at Kansas State University and a Master's in management from Central Michigan University. Paul also holds a B.A. in history. Paul's professional background includes supervising a laboratory for a French chemical company, performing labor relations and research duties for school districts in New Jersey, and human resource duties for a hospital in New York; however, most of Paul's professional life has been spent in alternative dispute resolution. For 24 years, Paul ran his own full-time nationwide dispute resolution business. Paul has successfully arbitrated and mediated hundreds of complex and contentious employment and labor disputes, including higher education disputes involving tenured faculty, class action complaints, and seven-figure CEO and executive termination disputes. Paul is an International Mediation Institute Qualified Mediator, a Mediation Training Institute Certified Workplace Mediator and Trainer in Conflict Resolution. Paul is certified to administer and interpret several workplace-focused psychometric instruments, including: Leadership Circle Profile, DiSC Profile, Conflict Dynamics Profile, Hogan Personality Inventory, Hogan Development Survey, and Hogan Motives, Values, Preferences Inventory. Paul holds a Conflict Resolution Certificate from Cornell University, an Executive Facilitation Certificate from Georgetown University, an Executive Coaching Certificate from New York University, Workplace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Inclusive Leadership Certificates from the University of South Florida, and a Crucial Conversations Trainer Certificate. Paul is a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution, the International Coaching Federation, and the International Ombuds Association, where he serves on the Finance Committee and the Advocacy Committee. Paul was a recipient of a 2020 Profiles in Courage award from the internationally respected ombuds resource The Ombuds Blog, and the 2022-23 Outstanding Executive Staff Member award at UM. As University Ombuds, Paul reports directly to the Chancellor and helps the UM Community live the Creed. Paul helps ensure that all voices are heard without fear of reprisal and that all members of the University Community have a place to seek assistance with resolving workplace issues in a confidential and respectful manner.