Vivian Hsu named to Ombudsperson for College

Vivian Hsu is the new Ombudsperson for Mount Holyoke College, Acting President Sonya Stephens has announced.

 She is the principal of Hsu & Associates LLC, a law firm specializing in employment counseling, workplace training programs, internal investigations, mediation and ombuds services to businesses and organizations. As principal of the firm, Hsu provides advice on workplace issues and the employment relationship, with an emphasis on preventative practices and dispute resolution.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have Vivian join us,” said Stephens. “She is a wonderful addition to our team and comes with a wealth of experience. We’re very excited to have her.”

Reporting directly to the President, the Ombudsperson is the College’s designated resource to provide confidential, neutral, impartial, and informal consultation for and assistance with problem solving and conflict management to all members of the Mount Holyoke community.

“My role is to be a confidential resource to any visitor who comes to the Ombuds office,” said Hsu. “I work with visitors to engage them through the process of conflict resolution and provide information and resources, including mediation when appropriate. Through my work, I help visitors and the College to identify concerns and explore solutions and resolutions that meet the needs of both, so as to promote fairness and equity.”

Hsu has long been committed to promoting equity and to community, civic and professional involvement. She provides pro bono legal services to several nonprofit groups and community organizations. She serves in leadership roles with organizations including the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the NAPABA Law Foundation, the Community Dispute Settlement Center and the Personnel Board for the Town of Needham, Massachusetts.

She is an appointed member of the Massachusetts Trial Court Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution and serves on the Massachusetts Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Council as Education Co-Liaison.

As an active supporter of the advancement of women leaders, Hsu is a member of the Boston Club. She has also served as president of the Women’s Business Network, board member of the Asian Women’s Connection and a committee member for the Silk Road Gala of the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, that group’s EmPower Breakfast and other events.

Hsu is a graduate of Smith College and Suffolk University Law School. 

The Ombuds office is currently open by appointment only, with regular office hours anticipated to begin in June.