UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Ellen Rom, coordinator for undergraduate programs in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Penn State, has been recognized with the College of Agricultural Sciences’ Community of Advising Excellence Award.
This honor celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional undergraduate advising. Professor Bradley Cardinale, who nominated Rom for the award, noted that her dedication to students and faculty makes her a standout recipient.
“Ellen’s tireless efforts, deep knowledge and compassionate approach to advising set her apart,” he said. “She treats every student as an individual, offering encouragement and support tailored to their needs. There is no one more deserving of this recognition.”
Rom oversees the advising program for 200 students in the forest ecosystem management major and the wildlife and fisheries science major. In addition to managing the department’s advising efforts, she personally advises 100 undergraduates, dedicating her time and expertise to their academic and professional success.
In 2023 alone, Rom conducted an estimated 220 scheduled advising appointments and responded to countless emails addressing advising-related questions. Colleagues say her encyclopedic knowledge of the Undergraduate Handbook and Penn State policies is invaluable for faculty and students.
Cardinale said Rom’s impact extends far beyond one-on-one advising. She plays a vital role in the department’s curriculum redesign, ensuring that programs meet the evolving needs of students and the industries they aspire to enter.
She represents the two majors at college-level recruitment and orientation events, organizes the annual Ecosystem Science and Management Career Fair, and chairs the department’s scholarship, loans and awards committee, which awarded approximately $206,000 to 100 students for the 2024-2025 academic year. She also coordinates the selection of the department’s Outstanding Undergraduate Advising and Teaching Awards.
In addition to her administrative and advising responsibilities, Rom co-teaches the department’s first-year seminar each fall. Cardinale pointed out that her commitment to student success begins when students step on campus, setting the foundation for their academic journeys.
He added that one of her defining characteristics is her individualized approach to advising. She recognizes each student’s unique challenges and potential and offers tailored support and encouragement to help them achieve their goals.
For example, Rom worked closely with a student who transferred to Ecosystem Science and Management after two years in another program. While navigating this academic change, the student faced personal hardships, including losing his father, which impacted his academic performance. Rom guided him through course substitutions and summer sessions, helping him complete his degree. Today, he works in the forest products industry.
Cardinale said another former student often appeared at Rom’s office unannounced, seeking guidance. Rather than requiring appointments or formal plans, Rom met him where he was, answering his questions and keeping him on track. Ten years after graduating, he returned to thank her, crediting her support as instrumental in his success. He now is employed with the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
“These stories exemplify Ellen’s unwavering commitment to her students’ success, often going above and beyond her job duties to ensure they reach their full potential,” Cardinale said. “Her genuine care and dedication make her an indispensable part of the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management and a role model for advisers across the University.”
For Rom, advising is more than course selection. “It’s about facilitating discovery — helping students uncover their strengths, weaknesses, goals and potential,” she said. “My role is to empower students to make informed decisions, foster their engagement in the University’s mission, and create a respectful, welcoming relationship that supports their continued growth.”
Rom holds a bachelor’s degree in resources management-general forestry from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York, and a master’s degree in forest resources from Penn State. She has served as coordinator for undergraduate programs since 2010.