UA chooses a new dean of students

The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville named a new dean of students, in a move that separates the position from its vice provost for student affairs post, officials announced Friday.

Melissa Harwood-Rom was appointed to the dean’s post, effective Friday. She has served as senior associate dean of students, supervising nine departments, since 2011.

“Harwood-Rom will take over from Danny Pugh, who has held the dual positions of vice provost for Student Affairs and dean of students since 2009,” according to a university news release, adding that the student population then was 19,849.

Now, enrollment is about 25,300 students, with an expectation of 28,000 in the coming years. The release quoted Pugh as saying he’d chosen Harwood-Rom for the senior associate dean’s post in 2011 “knowing this transition would eventually occur.”

Harwood-Rom previously earned $103,187 and will now make $118,665, a 15 percent increase, said UA spokesman Steve Voorhies. Pugh’s salary will increase from $188,101 to $194,101, a 3.2 increase. The salaries are 100 percent publicly funded.

A UA alumna, Harwood-Rom began working for the university in 1989 as the academic counselor for Women’s Athletics. In 2002, she became associate director of Women’s Athletics and in 2008, was named associate athletic director for the Razorback Athletics Center for Student Achievement and Support.

Arkansas, Pages 14 on 11/02/2013

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