main content A Grateful Farewell to Ombuds Valerie White

Valerie White is retiring as Lewis & Clark's ombudsperson on June 30, 2024, after more than fifteen years in the position.If you don’t know what an ombudsperson does, you aren’t alone. When she first interviewed for the job, White jokes, she wasn’t even sure how to pronounce the title, let alone define the duties. Now, after so many years serving (and strengthening) the Lewis & Clark community, a description of the ombuds role comes easily to her. “Sometimes you need a confidential place to go to talk about something that doesn’t appear to be working for you in the way it should or the way that it might. Maybe as you’re trying to figure out for yourself what you’re thinking, you need someone to reflect back to you or to offer additional perspectives.”

White has welcomed students, faculty, staff, and neighbors of the campus to her cozy office, which is tucked underneath the Agnes Flanagan Chapel to ensure confidentiality. “I never know what somebody’s going to have to say when they come in. Whatever brings them in, my job isn’t to tell them what they need. It’s to help them figure that out for themselves, and to help them identify how to move forward with it.” Over the past decade and a half, she has worked on over 4,000 cases, involving 5,756 people who have sought her services.

“Lewis & Clark has been incredibly fortunate to have someone with Valerie White’s skills and commitment in this role,” notes President Robin Holmes-Sullivan. “We are all deeply appreciative of how she has shaped campus culture during her many years here.”

White initially worked in banking, eventually rising to the position of Vice President at US Bancorp. She also served as an adjunct faculty member and associate dean in the Graduate School of Education and Counseling for several years, as well as teaching at other universities and serving on nonprofit and public sector boards. Looking back at her career, she observes that she learned from all those roles that she is an especially effective listener, and the people she has worked with have appreciated her ability to make them feel heard. “I’ve always been drawn to working on complex projects and complex issues, and I have a spirit of inquiry that helps me to connect with people where they’re at. It turns out, I was doing the kind of work an ombuds does before I knew this could be its own role—one that also encompasses confidentiality, to increase people’s comfort and confidence in discussing their concerns.”

Although visits to the office are completely confidential, many of those who have benefited from White’s services share their appreciation for her warmth and wisdom. “I’ve visited the Ombuds Office several times over the years for her insight on building trust and developing strategies,” recalls Director of Internal Communications and Community Engagement Vanessa Holmgren. “She cares deeply about creating a healthy and cooperative campus culture.”

One of the things White is looking forward to in retirement is having more time to devote to the book she is writing about her forebears, particularly her great-great-grandparents Jane Jackson and William Jackson. This family history is also important American history: William Jackson was a minister, and both Jane and William were active in the abolitionist movement.

“Lewis & Clark has been incredibly fortunate to have someone with Valerie White’s skills and commitment in this role,” President Robin Holmes-Sullivan said.

As she turns more attention to that research and writing, she’s also planning to remain engaged with Lewis & Clark. “I love recitals, academic talks, symposia, all the things happening across the campuses,” she explains. The emotionally demanding work of serving as ombuds has kept her from being able to enjoy as much of that part of L&C as she would like. And, as she notes, stepping away from her official role means that she will be able to cultivate the friendly relationships she has with people across the community in new ways.

Please join us on Wednesday, May 22, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Manor House to thank and celebrate Valerie White.