Rom Named Associate Dean for International Education

Photo by Russell Cothren

Curt Rom

Curt Rom, interim dean of the Honors College and University Professor of horticulture, has been named the associate dean for international education. He will begin his duties June 1.

"It is an honor to contribute to the success of students and to the reputation of the university in this position," Rom said. "The university has a long history of international involvement through study abroad programs, hosting international scholars and international collaboration. Our goal will be to further those opportunities for students and faculty. I am looking forward to working with the excellent staff in the various units within International Education."

Rom's experiences with international education are vast. He previously served on the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences International Programs Committee and Course Instruction. In that role, he supervised international internships and led study abroad tours throughout Europe. He is a member of the International Society for Horticulture Sciences, and through the Society he presented at various international congresses, symposiums and workshops and provided leadership to multiple working groups. Additionally, he has served as a horticulture consultant in Asia, Australia and South America.

He received a Fulbright Fellowship to teach in the Agripolis of the University of Padova in Padova, Italy, in 2008 and was a frequent lecturer in the College of Agriculture at the Autonomous University of Chihuahua in Mexico from 2008 to 2013. He has led university study abroad classes to Scotland, England, Italy, China and Belgium. Additionally, he has hosted and mentored many international graduate students for their degree programs.

Rom was active in the Rotary International Youth Exchange Scholars Program, an international exchange program for high school students, and was certified by the U.S. Department of State as an international youth exchange program coordinator. He and his family have hosted multiple foreign students in their home.

"I am delighted that Curt Rom has accepted the position of associate dean for International Education," said Kim Needy, dean of the Graduate School and International Education. "I am confident that he will be an excellent advocate for international education on our campus and in our local community, and lead our international efforts to even greater heights."

Rom earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture from the University of Arkansas, and received his master's and doctoral degrees from Ohio State University.

He joined the U of A faculty in 1989 and became a full professor in 2005. He was selected as the director of the honors program in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences in 2011 and was named a University Professor and interim dean of the Honors College in 2014.

Rom is a member of the University of Arkansas Teaching Academy and served as the organization's president from 2004 to 2006. He has received more than 20 awards for his research, service and teaching during his time at the U of A.  He will become president of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences in August 2015.