Hello, Ron! A Profile of UF’s New Ombudsman

by Kari Ward

Ron Anderson has been at UF since 1987. He earned his sociology degree here and has worked in the Office of Student Financial affairs for the past 16 years. On September 17th, he will be leaving his SFA position to take on a new role as the University of Florida Ombudsman.

When we sat down for this interview, my first questions for Ron were “How do you get from Student Financial Affairs to Ombudsman?” and “Why on Earth would anyone want to become the head of UF’s complaint department?” We had a great conversation, talking about his upcoming transition to Tigert Hall and reminiscing about our earlier days in the College of Engineering’s FEEDS department. If you’ve met Ron before, you know he’s candid, funny, and very down to earth. Here are the highlights of our conversation . . .

Ron: Over the last five years, my position in financial affairs has evolved to include more and more contact with students, helping them resolve financial issues and educating them and their parents about financial aid at Preview. Preview, in particular, allowed me to get out of the office and meet staff and faculty from across campus. As a result, people started contacting me for help in resolving their students’ problems, which is something I really enjoyed doing.

Now, the kinds of problems I’m helping to resolve involve people’s money, so things can get pretty intense. Let’s just say that I’ve become really good at talking upset students off a ledge. But I find there’s a huge payoff in helping others figure out solutions to difficult, emotionally-laden problems and in seeing that I have the ability to positively impact a situation.

So going from financial aid to the Ombudsman position is not as great of a stretch as you might think. You see the correlation--instead of helping students solve their financial problems, I’ll be coming from the academic end of things, helping resolve grade disputes and navigate university policies.

Kari: That makes perfect sense. So, you’ve got a tough act to follow—Tommie Howard—who’s been UF’s Ombudsman for how many decades? How do you anticipate putting the “Ron Anderson stamp” on this role?

Ron: Well, I think I’ll bring a talent for finding creative solutions and thinking outside the box. I’m a realist—very practical—yet someone who’s really easy to approach. I’ve got a non-confrontational communication style, I’m a good listener, and I think my experience in financial affairs will give me a unique perspective. I also try and use humor to help keep things light. Ya gotta be able to laugh in the middle of all this, right?

Kari: Definitely! I can see how a good sense of humor would be handy in your line of work. And you’re already well known for your trademark sense of humor, Ron. So, I can see a distinct connection between your old job and your new job, but how do you think the jobs will differ and what are you most looking forward to in your new job?

Ron: One of the things I am looking forward to, and one of the big differences I’m anticipating, is having more leeway and flexibility in how I help students solve problems. In the financial aid office, my ability to help students is limited in that the federal government’s financial aid rules are pretty much etched in stone and many times there is just no way around them. My new job will give me a little more autonomy, in that regard. I am also looking forward to getting to know the deans and associate deans from UF’s colleges, getting feedback on how my office might better serve them, and developing those contacts. I’ll want to learn the lay of the land as quickly as I can and am eager to get my hands dirty with different student issues.

Kari: As an advisor, I hear students complain about their professors and grades. I know the chain of command for those situations, but is there anything I can do as an advisor to make your job easier?

Ron: Advisors shouldn’t assume that students understand the questions they ask or the answers you give. You need to be very clear and concrete when you explain a situation or policy to students. You also want to ask questions that students don’t know to ask.

Kari: So, last question: You’ve been in the financial aid office for 16 years. What will you miss the most?

Ron: I will miss the people here the most. We are really like a family to each other. I don’t think I’m going to have as much opportunity to do presentations, so I will miss that, too. Doing Preview was so much fun. I loved meeting with the students and parents—everyone’s so happy at Preview—no one has any major issues at that point!

Ron is married to Maureen McFarlane, who is the Director of Financial Aid at Sante Fe College. He has a stepson named Sean who is a student at Sante Fe High School.