Melissa Harwood-Rom Named Senior Associate Dean of Students

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Melissa Harwood-Rom

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Melissa Harwood-Rom, who has been with the University of Arkansas in various positions supporting students since 1989, will begin her new role as senior associate dean of students in the Division of Student Affairs at the end of November.

“My entire professional career has been spent in higher education, student achievement and support services,” said Harwood-Rom. “My affinity for student development and student affairs started while as an undergraduate student heavily involved in student affairs and activities here at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

“It has been my professional goal to develop a staff and programs, and to foster an environment of supporting students to achieve personal and professional goals through meaningful and relevant educational and life experiences at the university,” she said.

Her work over the years with Razorback athletics achieved exactly those results. And while the athletic department is sad to see her go, they know that all students will now benefit from her experience and commitment to student success.

“We are grateful for Melissa’s more than 20 years of service to Razorback student-athletes,” said Jeff Long, vice chancellor and director of athletics. “She first served our women’s program before taking on the challenge of combining academic support services for a combined program of more than 460 student-athletes. I appreciate her embracing that challenge and helping establish a program committed to advancing student-athletes toward graduation. I am pleased that students at the University of Arkansas will continue to benefit from her leadership as she assumes her new role on campus.”

In her role as senior associate dean of students, Harwood-Rom will report directly to Danny Pugh, the vice provost for student affairs and dean of students. She will have direct supervisory responsibility over two associate deans of students who are in charge of the areas of campus and student life. She will also lead the division’s professional development committee to enhance staff training, continuing education and motivation.

“The Division of Student Affairs has taken another step forward in our commitment to serving our students,” said Danny Pugh, vice provost for student affairs and dean of students. “Having Melissa serve as the senior associate dean of students enhances our commitment to our strengths-based approach to working with University of Arkansas students and staff. Her commitment to University of Arkansas students is second to none. I know our students are going to be very pleased to have her representing their interests.”

"I have long respected and admired the Division of Student Affairs for the role that they play in strengthening University of Arkansas students for success,” Harwood-Rom said. “I am thrilled to be joining Vice Provost and Dean of Students Danny Pugh and his team and look forward to contributing to their mission and momentum."

Harwood-Rom was hired after a national search was conducted to fill the position vacated by Ashley Tull this summer.

In 1989 Harwood-Rom came back to the University of Arkansas as the founding member of the newly created office of Academic Counselor for Women’s Athletics. In this position until 2002, Harwood-Rom was responsible for initial and continued eligibility certification and academic advising for all women’s sports, as well as overseeing event management, fundraising and facilities planning, among other duties.

In 2002 she was named associate director of women’s athletics at the University of Arkansas. Her primary responsibilities included academic support services, maintaining academic records for approximately 175 female student athletes, and managing NCAA compliance records and student development.

In 2008 she was named associate athletic director, Razorback Athletics Center for Student Achievement and Support. In this role she was responsible for providing academic support services to more than 400 student athletes each year. She managed a staff of 13 full-time and 125 part-time tutors. Harwood-Rom was in this position until being named senior associate dean of students for student affairs this week.

Harwood-Rom received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Arkansas in 1980; a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Oklahoma State University in 1981; and a Master of Economics/Agricultural Economics from Washington State University in 1988.