Dr. Anovia Slaughter (photo by Angela Foster)
Dr. Anovia Slaughter has been appointed University ombuds for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, effective June 28.
The University ombuds provides impartial, informal, independent and confidential conflict resolution services to all UTC faculty and staff in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice established by the International Ombuds Association. The position uses exceptional judgment, knowledge of the institution and advanced concepts in conflict resolution to handle cases that may involve sensitive issues that have the potential for costly outcomes if not addressed.
Chancellor Steven R. Angle announced the appointment in a message to UTC faculty and staff, calling the University ombuds “a pivotal role in higher education that fosters an equitable, supportive and transparent campus environment.”
“Dr. Slaughter will be responsible for assisting in the informal resolution of disputes, providing confidential consultations, advocating for fairness, and connecting individuals to appropriate resources within the University,” Angle said.
“Anovia brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to promoting fairness and equity within the University setting. With a background in mediation and victim support services, she is well-equipped to handle the complexities of this role while serving as a valuable resource.”
The ombuds’ position is neither an advocate for any individual nor the University, Angle said, but rather an advocate for fairness who acts as a source of information and referral in answering an individual’s questions—and assists in the resolution of concerns and critical situations.
“As University Ombuds, Anovia will provide a safe and confidential space for individuals to voice concerns, explore options, and receive guidance on University policies and procedures,” he said. “She will play a critical role in enhancing our campus climate and ensuring that every member of our community feels heard and supported.”
Slaughter joined the UTC faculty in 2021 as a criminal justice faculty member teaching a wide range of courses—including Introduction to the Criminal Justice System; Gender Based Violence; and Race, Class, Gender and Crime.
She has also been an online adjunct faculty member in the Grand Canyon University (Arizona) Justice Studies Department and the Ocean County College (New Jersey) Criminal Justice Department since 2019.
“It’s important to have an ombuds in higher education because people are people; you’re going to have disagreements, hard conversations and complex situations,” Slaughter said. “Having an ombuds in higher education helps people to maneuver through the difficulties of their lives—whether it is personal or professional. The ombuds can provide advocacy for fairness, impartiality in conflict resolution and conflict management, and confidential support.”
Slaughter’s background includes serving as a State of Tennessee Rule 31 independent family/domestic and civil law mediator; overseeing all operations of victim support services for Partnership for Families, Children and Adults; and spending 12 years as a marriage and relationship educator for First Things First.
“I have taught marriage and relationship education where people learned how to communicate, how to handle conflict, how to manage conflict, and what healthy personal and professional relationships should look like in comparison to unhealthy and toxic ones,” she explained. “Additionally, by mediating family and civil law cases for more than 14 years and being a member of the faculty, I feel these experiences have given me insight on how to manage this role.
“I love researching law and public policy. I am very interested in how these things and many others impact people.”
A native of Virginia, Slaughter attended UT Knoxville as an undergraduate and received a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She later matriculated to Chattanooga, earning a master’s in criminal justice from UTC in 2007. She received a Ph.D. in criminal justice from Walden University in Minnesota in 2018.
For more information on the role of the University Ombuds and the services provided, visit the UTC Ombuds webpage.
