About Us
Meet the Staff
Dr. Jennifer Smith Schneider, Assistant Vice President
Jennifer has served as an ombuds at USF since 2015. She is a Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner (CO-OP庐) and she sits on the International Ombuds Association's Board of Directors. Prior to coming to USF as ombuds, Jennifer held various instructional and administrative roles at Polk State College, the University of Central 91社区 and USF. She earned a BS in Deaf Education from Flagler College, an MS in Special Education and a PhD in Higher Education Administration from USF.
Laura Zuppo, M.S., M.B.A., Director
Laura Zuppo serves as the Director of the USF Student Ombuds Office at the University of South 91社区, where she assists students on all USF campuses. Before becoming a full-time ombuds, Laura served as a collateral ombuds and as the Regional Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Success at the USF St. Petersburg campus. Drawing on her firsthand knowledge of USF鈥檚 structure, policies, and procedures, Laura provides a confidential, impartial, independent, and informal space where students can voice their concerns, explore options, and seek resolutions. Laura spent the last 25 years in higher education administration and consulting. Her functional area experience spans from Enrollment Management to Student Affairs. Laura earned a B.A. in Sociology from Cedar Crest College, an M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Drexel University, an M.B.A. from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a Post Master's Certificate in Leadership in Higher Education. She is a doctoral candidate in USF鈥檚 Ph.D. program in Higher Education Administration, where she will focus her dissertation research on the experiences of collateral ombuds who serve students in post-secondary education. Laura is also a certified Conflict Dynamics Profile Coach, supporting individuals and teams in developing effective conflict management strategies.
Risa Blake, Administrative Specialist
Risa attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and has been supporting the mission of Student Success since 2011. She joined the Student Ombuds Office in 2022. As the first point of contact for the office, she is dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming environment for students, families, and colleagues while fostering a positive workplace culture.
Students from any USF campus can reach out to Risa to schedule an appointment.
Arianna Hernandez, Student Assistant
Arianna is a senior studying integrated public relations and advertising with a minor in hospitality management. She enjoys supporting the Student Ombuds Office by creating engaging content for the office's Instagram, participating in tabling events to increase campus awareness, and connecting students with resources that help them succeed at USF.
Pedro Lindarte, Student Assistant
Pedro is a sophomore studying electrical engineering. He contributes to the Student Ombuds Office by supporting outreach initiatives and helping students learn about the confidential resources and services available to assist them throughout their academic journey.
*The USF Ombuds Office does not accept formal complaints or notice for the University. If you would like to make USF formally aware of a particular problem, the Ombuds Office staff can provide information on how to do so. Keep in mind that email messages to the Ombuds Office could be subject to 91社区's Public Records Law (Ch.119, 91社区 Statute) and may not be confidential.