Sept. 4, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; - Bruce Ellis has been named Penn State Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Services. He joins Intercollegiate Athletics after nearly 25 years working in the University's Smeal College of Business Administration.
A State College native, Ellis will begin his new duties September 15. He has been Penn State's representative on the Big Ten Conference Advisory Commission since 2001.
"I am looking forward to joining ICA and adding some value to an accomplished group of coaches, staff and administrators," stated Ellis. "This is an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the success of the athletic program and continue my commitment to helping students achieve their academic and now athletic goals."
"We are very excited to have Bruce joining Intercollegiate Athletics after his many years of outstanding service to the Smeal College," said Mark Sherburne, Associate Athletic Director for Administration. "Bruce's background as a former Penn State student-athlete, knowledge of our undergraduate curriculums, strong familiarity with admissions, leadership experience within the conference and established relationships with our student-athletes, coaches and other units across campus will enable him to be highly effective in his new role."
Charged with acting as liaison between admissions, financial aid, housing, and many other student services, Ellis will work with all 29 Penn State athletic programs in a variety of areas. Among his responsibilities will be streamlining the process of supporting the many facets of Penn State's broad-based support system for its approximately 800 student-athletes.
Ellis has served as Senior Director of Undergraduate Programs within the Smeal College of Business Administration since 1995. A 1977 graduate of Penn State with a B.S. degree in Community Development, Ellis added a Master's in Counselor Education in 1983. While earning his undergraduate degree, Ellis was a wide receiver on the Penn State football team.
Ellis has worked in the business college since 1984 in a number of different positions including: Coordinator of Minority Affairs and Minority Student Program (1989-95) and Program Assistant/Academic Advisor (1984-89). Ellis also served for a year as Acting Director of Minority Admissions and Community Affairs (1993-94) in the Undergraduate Admissions department, serving in a dual capacity while continuing to fulfill responsibilities in the Smeal College.
During the 2005-06 academic year, Ellis was an Administrative Fellow with Intercollegiate Athletics, participating in the program offered by the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.
A product of State Area College High School, Ellis won the 1999-2000 Penn State University "Staff Excellence Award." He is an honorary member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and has received citations from the Smeal College for outstanding advising and the National Association of Black Accountants for service to the Penn State student chapter.
Ellis and his wife, Debra, have a son, Keaton.