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Merle brings many years of experience in higher education and human services to the Office of the Ombudsman. Her early career was in family crisis services and rehabilitation programs. She entered the field of higher education in 1988, and has worked for Ohio University since 1993 in academic and academic support units, serving in several roles including:
- Academic Advisor
- Liaison for Regional Campuses
- Director of student services
- Director of university-community engagement department
- Director of a faculty development program
From 2003 - 2006 she served as Associate Dean of Students. As a member of the Vice President's leadership team, she had specific oversight for the International Student and Faculty Services office, the LGBT Programs Center, the Office of Multicultural Programs and the Lindley Cultural Center.
Merle has collaborated to launch several new initiatives at Ohio University such as Faculty Learning Communities and Ohio University's Virtual Campus in Second Life. She also led cross-disciplinary task forces to establish new services such as the Off-Campus Living Office and the Women's Center.
Merle earned her B.S. in Psychology from Union Institute in 1979 and a M.Ed. in Higher Education from Ohio University in 1995. She is also a licensed social worker in the State of Ohio, and a certified professional coach.
Parallel to her university positions, Merle has maintained a private practice as a trainer, consultant, curriculum designer, and coach on topics of diversity, conflict resolution, organizational collaboration, strategic planning & assessment, constituent engagement, and personal and professional development.
Merle holds professional certificates in:
- Professional Coaching, from the Center for Organization & Systems Development, Gestalt Institute of Cleveland.
- Human Resource Management (SHRM), from George Mason University
- Diversity Education, from the National Coalition Building Institute
- Conflict Resolution and Mediation, from the Athens Area Mediation Services, and from the Center for Dispute Resolution
- Leadership through Emotional Intelligence Competencies, from the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University
- Emotional/Social Competence Inventory, 360 assessment instrument, from The Hay Group
- Leading Change with Appreciative Inquiry, from the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University
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