Melissa Harwood-Rom, associate vice chancellor and dean of students, has served the U of A for more than 35 years. She is retiring in June, and the Division of Student Affairs invites the campus community to a reception in her honor from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at the Fowler House.

Harwood-Rom has served as the dean of students in the Division of Student Affairs since 2013, where she advocated and supported students during academic and personal crises and emergencies. She has been with the university in various positions since 1989 and with Student Affairs since 2011.

"Melissa has dedicated her career to serving students at the U of A," said Jeremy Battjes, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. "She has positively changed the lives of so many students over the years. Her true impacts are unmeasurable and reach well beyond this campus." 

"I have been fortunate in that the focus of my work has always been serving students. No reward is greater than seeing students overcome obstacles that may have prevented them from believing that they could be successful and earn a degree," Harwood-Rom said. "When I see former students, and I hear of the world-changing work that they do and the paths they have chosen, every defeat, heartbreak or disappointment vanishes."

Harwood-Rom is an alumna of the university who returned in 1989 for the newly created position of Academic Counselor for Women's Athletics. She 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 U of A. 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 for the 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. 

"When I began my career working in academic support for student-athletes, my team and I were sometimes criticized for 'doing too much for our students' or 'coddling students.' What we were truly doing is providing them with the resources needed for them to be successful:  tutors, mentors and general support," Harwood-Rom said. "Now, those very same strategies are part and parcel of the student success programs implemented throughout higher education." 

In November 2011, Harwood-Rom was named senior associate dean of students in the Division of Student Affairs. On Nov. 1, 2013, Harwood-Rom was named the U of A's 12th dean of students, taking over from Danny Pugh, who held the dual positions of vice provost for student affairs and dean of students since 2009. Harwood-Rom also served as interim vice chancellor for Student Affairs for more than a year under Chancellor Charles Robinson.

"Melissa has served this campus community in many ways during her 35 years at the U of A," Robinson said. "She has always been an advocate for students and works every day to ensure they have an excellent University of Arkansas experience. She has been a steady, positive influence for so many during their time at the university, as well as a comforting voice and guide during difficult times. We will all greatly miss her presence on this campus."

Harwood-Rom said she will miss her work and the people she worked with as well.

"I have been privileged to be part of some remarkable teams," Harwood-Rom said. "I will sorely miss the daily interaction with the many people across campus that I dearly love and respect. After 35 years with all of you, I am going to leave a piece of my heart behind when I go."

Monica D. Holland, assistant vice chancellor and associate dean of students, has worked with Harwood-Rom for more than nine years.

"Melissa truly embodies what it means to be students first in work she has done over her several years with the University of Arkansas. Her career includes a multitude of students who she has assisted in their academic journeys, some of which will say she's one of the main factors in their academic success," Holland said. "She has mentored and counseled numerous staff and has always been generous with her time and expertise. I consider myself fortunate to have spent the past nine-plus years working alongside Melissa and learning from her in both tangible and intangible ways. Melissa has been such fixture on this campus, and, without a doubt, her impact will be long lasting."

Ginny Perlman has served as the executive assistant to the Office of the Dean of Students for the past three years.

"I admire Melissa in so many ways, and I feel privileged and honored to have had the opportunity of supporting her the past three years since I started with Student Affairs. She exudes a good work ethic portraying dignity, grace, perseverance, compassion, benevolence, dedication, poise, patience, and the list goes on. I have thoroughly enjoyed our conversations and learning from her. I have so much respect for her and value her insight and expertise."

As for her plans in retirement? Harwood-Rom said she plans to spend more time with her daughters, Zoe and Clio, making frequent trips to see them in Carbondale, Colorado, and State College, Pennsylvania, and plans to "walk the dogs, read the books, weed the garden and, maybe, surprise myself, and likely (husband) Curt, with what I can get up to given the time."

Harwood-Rom said she is thankful for those who helped her grow and move up as a higher education professional.

"Sincere thanks to Hall of Famer Bev Lewis for hiring me to be a part of her vision of building a top-flight Women's Athletics Department; to Jeff Long for the many opportunities for growth that he provided; to Danny Pugh for facilitating a big jump from Athletics to Student Affairs; to Charles Robinson for his leadership and inspiration; and to Jeremy Battjes, who is creating new opportunities for students to grow and achieve in the phenomenal Division of Student Affairs," Harwood-Rom said. "I am so grateful for these folks and so many others who have imprinted my heart and soul. Especially the many students. Thanks to all and especially Curt, Zoe and Clio for supporting me always."

Join the Division of Student Affairs from 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at the Fowler House to celebrate Melissa Harwood-Rom!

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About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports the whole student by cultivating transformative experiences and environments that promote student well-being, sense of community, and success. We prioritize student access, well-being, and belonging, post-graduation success, and building a strong organizational culture.