About The Ombudspersons
Faculty, Staff, & Students
Faculty Ombudsperson
Dr. Lindsay Timmerman
She/Her/Hers
Appointed: August 2024 (Term Expires August 2027)
Dr. Lindsay Timmerman is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication Studies. She earned her BA and her MA in Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and her PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Texas. Dr. Timmerman has spent the last 30 years examining the ways that our communication impacts our relationships, and vice versa. She teaches a variety of courses, including Communication & Conflict Management, Communication & Emotion, and Dark Side of Communication (i.e., communication that can be problematic, difficult, distressing, or disruptive). As a scholar Dr. Timmerman has examined a number of interpersonal and relational contexts, but is particularly drawn to relational communication challenges and how we can make these challenges a little easier to manage.
Faculty Ombudsperson
Dr. Colleen Myles
She/Her/Hers
Appointed: June 2022 (term expires August 2025)
Dr. Colleen C. Myles, a first-generation college student, has a BA in Liberal Studies and Political Science from Sonoma State University of California, Davis. Dr. Myles served as an AmeriCorps Volunteer as an undergraduate and then as a Community-Based Natural Resources Manager in Tanzania with the Peace Corps following graduation. Dr. Myles came to Texas State University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies in 2013 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2019. She is currently the Regional Councilor for the Southwest on the National Council for the American Association of Geographers and is the former Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee at Texas State University. Dr. Myles is a human geographer and political ecologist whose research and teaching focus on land and environmental management, sustainability, food and agriculture, and fermented landscapes.
Beginning June 2022, the university is implementing a new model of support that includes two faculty ombudspersons. This model is designed to better serve Texas State's large and diverse faculty body and to provide faculty members with an additional layer of support in addressing questions, concerns, and solutions to work-related issues. Learn more about our Faculty Ombudspersons and their services by visiting the Faculty Ombudsperson webpage found under the Office of the Provost.
Staff Ombudsperson
Noel Fuller, M.S.I.S.
HE/HIM/HIS
Noel Fuller serves as the Assistant Director for the First-Year Advising Center. He holds an M.S.I.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies at Texas State, and he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Adult, Professional, and Community Education through the College of Education. Noel served six years on the Texas State Staff Council, including service as Staff Council Chair from 2019-2021. In 2023, he was selected as the recipient of the Frances Padilla Estavillo and Theadocia Hodges Richey Staff Council Scholarship.
Student Ombudsperson
Nikki Dunham, M.Ed, M.B.A.
Student Ombudsperson Intake Form
Nikki Dunham serves as the Associate Dean of Students and Student Ombudsperson at Texas State University. The Dean of Students Office, a unit within the Division of Student Success, is dedicated to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive campus community that prioritizes student well-being and success. Committed to eliminating barriers that hinder personal, academic, and post-graduation achievement, the office provides a range of integrated support services designed to meet the evolving needs of Texas State students. Core functional areas include the CARE Team, Student Conduct and Community Standards, Attorney for Students, Student Ombudsperson, and Basic Needs & Special Populations. Together, these units work collaboratively to promote student resilience, equity, and access to resources that enhance the overall student experience.
With more than 20 years of experience in higher education administration, Nikki brings a proven track record of leadership and innovation to student success initiatives. Her career spans multiple institutions where she has overseen housing and residential life, led non-clinical case management and crisis response efforts, and developed comprehensive student support systems that have significantly improved outcomes for students navigating mental health, financial, and academic challenges. Nikki has also played a vital role on Behavioral Intervention Teams, Bias Incident Response Teams, and University Crisis Management groups, reinforcing her commitment to fostering safe, inclusive, and responsive campus communities. Nikki is proud to serve students as they navigate the university system and its policies and procedures.
To utilize Student Ombuds Services, students may submit an Intake Form.