Dr. Pamela S. (Hinton) Bruzina brings over two decades of experience in conflict resolution, sports governance, and organizational leadership to her role at the Sports Conflict Institute. As an International Ombuds Association Certified Organizational Ombuds (CO-OP®), she currently serves as the inaugural Faculty Ombudsperson at the University of Missouri while simultaneously holding positions as Faculty Athletics Representative to the SEC and NCAA, member of the NCAA Division I Board of Directors (the only FAR representative), and President of the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA). Her unique triple appointment positions her at the intersection of academic integrity, athletic governance, and institutional conflict resolution during the most transformative period in collegiate athletics history.
Dr. Bruzina’s expertise spans informal dispute resolution, NCAA compliance and governance, academic integrity oversight, and systemic organizational change. Since 2009, she has served on grievance resolution panels, processing complex faculty grievances and equity resolution cases while developing innovative early intervention mechanisms. As FARA President during the implementation of the House Settlement and Division I governance restructuring, she has been instrumental in ensuring faculty voice remains central to NCAA transformation. Her Gateway Equity Institute certification as a FaciliTrainer enables her to deliver powerful diversity, equity, and inclusion training while helping organizations bridge differences and overcome conscious and unconscious bias. She has personally developed comprehensive student-athlete welfare assessment systems, including end-of-season surveys, exit interviews, and experience evaluations that have become models for other institutions.
Beyond her administrative leadership, Dr. Bruzina is an internationally recognized researcher whose groundbreaking work on bone health and sports medicine has direct applications to athlete welfare and policy. Her NIH-funded research was the first to demonstrate that resistance and jump training can reverse bone loss in men with osteopenia, with clinical significance showing that even small increases in bone density (1%) can reduce fracture risk by 5-8%. Her comprehensive review on iron deficiency in endurance athletes has become a cornerstone reference, revealing that even mild deficiency (ferritin <25 ng/mL) can impair performance by 3-4%, while proper supplementation can improve endurance by up to 20%. A former NCAA All-American track athlete and American record holder for 19 years, she brings personal athletic experience and evidence-based approaches to her conflict resolution work, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and the critical importance of maintaining institutional integrity while supporting individual welfare.
International Panels & Governance Appointments
- NCAA Division I Board of Directors – Faculty Athletics Representative Member (2023-2027)
- NCAA DI Track & Field/Cross-Country Oversight Committee – Member (2025-2029)
- Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA) – President (2024-2025), Executive Committee (2020-present)
- NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport – Sports Science Representative, Research Subcommittee Chair (2020-2024)
- NCAA Drug Test Appeals Committee – Member (2020-present)
- NCAA Injury Surveillance Program Data Request Advisory Panel – Member (reinstated program)
- International Ombuds Association – Certified Organizational Ombuds, CO-OP® (2025)
Professional Experience
Current Positions
Faculty Ombudsperson (0.49 FTE)
University of Missouri | 2023-Present
Serves as designated neutral providing informal assistance and impartial conflict resolution to all tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty. Develops educational programs, identifies systemic institutional issues, and provides early intervention for conflicts. Reports directly to Provost while maintaining independence.
Faculty Athletics Representative to SEC and NCAA (0.50 FTE)
University of Missouri | 2017-Present
Ensures institutional control, academic integrity, and student-athlete welfare. Conducts comprehensive student-athlete surveys, exit interviews, and welfare assessments. Serves as only FAR on NCAA D1 Board of Directors during House Settlement implementation. Reports directly to Chancellor.
Professor of Nutrition & Exercise Physiology
University of Missouri | 2018-Present (Associate 2006-2018, Assistant 2000-2006)
Conducts NIH-funded research on bone health interventions and diabetic bone fragility. Published 70+ peer-reviewed articles. Secured over $2 million in research funding. Mentored 16 graduate students with 10 publishing thesis work.
Selected Previous Experience
Chair, Grievance Resolution Panel (0.25 FTE)
University of Missouri | 2009-2023
Processed faculty grievances per CRR 370.010, participated in Evaluation of Ability to Work and Standards of Faculty Conduct proceedings. Led revision of grievance procedures.
Member, Equity Resolution Panel
University of Missouri | 2018-2023
Resolved Title IX sexual harassment and discrimination/harassment cases through formal hearing processes.
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Nutritional Sciences | 2010-2021
Chaired Graduate Education Committee, led admissions, developed curriculum for 5 graduate courses.
Chair, University of Missouri Student-Athlete Research Oversight Committee
University of Missouri | 2019-Present
Developed policies and procedures for Chancellor-appointed committee reviewing all research involving student-athletes.
Areas of Expertise
- Organizational Ombuds Services (IOA Standards)
- NCAA Governance & Transformation
- Academic Integrity in Athletics
- Grievance & Equity Resolution
- Student-Athlete Welfare Assessment
- Sports Medicine Policy & Governance
- Iron Deficiency in Athletes
- Bone Health & Injury Prevention
- Relative Energy Deficiency Syndrome (RED-S)
- Eating Disorders in Collegiate Athletes
- DEI Training & Cultural Change
- Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Policy
Groundbreaking Research & Clinical Impact
Bone Health Interventions
First study demonstrating resistance/jump training reverses bone loss in men: Published landmark research showing 12 months of targeted exercise increased bone mineral density in osteopenic men, with clinical significance that 1% BMD increase reduces fracture risk by 5-8%.
Sclerostin and IGF-1 mechanisms: Discovered that weight-bearing exercise decreases harmful sclerostin protein while increasing beneficial IGF-1 hormone, promoting bone formation at the molecular level.
Diabetic bone fragility research: Using the OLETF rat model, demonstrated how obesity and type 2 diabetes compromise bone quality, identifying potential therapeutic interventions through exercise and caloric restriction.
Iron Deficiency in Athletes
Comprehensive review establishing clinical thresholds: Published definitive review showing athletes need ferritin levels >25 ng/mL for optimal performance, with deficiency reducing endurance by 3-4%.
Performance impact quantification: Demonstrated that proper iron supplementation (100mg/day) can improve endurance performance by up to 20% in deficient athletes.
Screening and intervention protocols: Developed evidence-based guidelines for identifying at-risk athletes and implementing safe supplementation strategies, particularly for female endurance athletes.
Academic Credentials & Certifications
Education
- PhD in Nutritional Sciences – University of Wisconsin-Madison (1991-1997)
- BS in Molecular Biology – University of Wisconsin-Madison (1986-1991)
- NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cornell University, Maternal and Child Nutrition (1997-2000)
Professional Certifications & Training
- Certified Organizational Ombuds (CO-OP®) – International Ombuds Association (2025)
- FaciliTrainer for Social Justice Education – Gateway Equity Institute (2021)
- Inclusion Institute Certification – Gateway Equity Institute, 10-day intensive (2021)
- Equity Resolution Hearing Panelist – Multiple annual trainings (2018-present)
- SEC Academic Leadership Development Program – Graduate (2018-2019)
- Certificate in Multicultural Mentoring – University of Florida/SEC (2021)
Publications & Thought Leadership
Selected High-Impact Publications
- “Consider FARs’ perspective on new NCAA constitution” – College Athletics and the Law, 2023
- “Serum sclerostin decreases following 12 months of resistance- or jump-training in men with low bone mass” – Bone, 2017 (Landmark study)
- “Iron and the endurance athlete” – Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 2014 (Definitive review)
- “Effectiveness of resistance training or jumping-exercise to increase bone mineral density in men with low bone mass” – Bone, 2015 (NIH-funded RCT)
- “Obesity-related changes in bone structural and material properties in hyperphagic OLETF rats” – Metabolism, 2015
- Author of 70+ peer-reviewed articles, multiple book chapters on sports nutrition and bone health
- Research featured in international media including LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Men’s Health
National Leadership & Speaking
- NCAA Convention presenter on FAR roles and responsibilities (2023-2024)
- FARA/D1 Annual Meeting sessions on NIL, compliance, academic misconduct (2019-2024)
- NCAA webinars on biometrics in athletics, cannabis policy, injury surveillance
- American Society for Bone and Mineral Research plenary presentations
- Over 100 abstracts presented at national scientific meetings
Notable Achievements & Recognition
- Inaugural Faculty Ombudsperson at major R1 university (2023)
- Only FAR serving on NCAA Division I Board of Directors during transformative House Settlement period
- President of national Faculty Athletics Representatives Association during NCAA governance restructuring
- Reinstated NCAA Injury Surveillance Program Data Request Process as Research Subcommittee Chair
- University of Missouri Provost’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award (2017)
- NIH and University research funding exceeding $2 million
- Mentor to 16 graduate students with exceptional publication record (10 published thesis work)
- NCAA All-American, Outdoor Track (1989-1990)
- American Record Holder, 4x1500m relay (1990-2009)
- Missouri State Cycling Road Race Champion (multiple years as masters athlete)
- Developed comprehensive student-athlete welfare assessment system adopted as model by other institutions
Institutional Leadership & System Development
Programs Developed
- MU Faculty Ombuds Office (inaugural)
- Student-Athlete Research Oversight Committee
- Comprehensive welfare survey systems
- Academic integrity training programs
- Exit interview protocols
- Drug testing policies
- Transfer survey assessments
Committee Leadership
- 15+ search committees including AD, deans
- Faculty Council IDE Committee Chair
- Intercollegiate Athletics Committee Vice Chair
- Compliance Subcommittee Chair
- Culture and Belonging initiatives
- Sports Science Committee
- P&T committees at multiple levels
Speaking & Consulting Topics
Dr. Bruzina is available for keynote speaking, workshops, and consulting on:
- Establishing Organizational Ombuds Programs in Sports
- NCAA Governance During Transformation
- House Settlement Implementation Strategies
- Academic Integrity in the NIL Era
- Faculty-Athletics Integration Models
- Student-Athlete Welfare Assessment Systems
- Evidence-Based Sports Medicine Policy
- Iron Deficiency Screening & Intervention
- Bone Health in Athletes
- RED-S and Female Athlete Triad
- Eating Disorders in Collegiate Sports
- Title IX and Equity Resolution
- DEI Training for Athletic Departments
- Data-Driven Conflict Resolution
Personal Athletic Excellence
Dr. Bruzina’s personal athletic achievements provide unique credibility in sports conflict resolution. As a former NCAA All-American track athlete and American record holder in the 4x1500m relay (1990-2009), she understands the pressures and challenges athletes face. She continues competing as a masters cyclist, winning multiple Missouri State Championships and placing at USA Cycling National Championships. This firsthand experience of competitive athletics—from collegiate glory to ongoing masters competition—informs her empathetic yet evidence-based approach to conflict resolution, policy development, and athlete welfare initiatives.
Dr. Pamela S. (Hinton) Bruzina, PhD, CO-OP®
Ombuds Services Expert & NCAA Governance Leader | Sports Conflict Institute
Faculty Ombudsperson, University of Missouri | NCAA D1 Board of Directors | FARA President
Connect & Learn More
Leverage expertise in organizational ombuds services, NCAA governance transformation, and evidence-based conflict resolution.
Sports Conflict Institute | Portland, Oregon | info@sportsconflict.org