Redefining Advising at UH

For more than 25 years, Natalie Sumrow ’98, ’00, MBA ’04) has been quietly reshaping what student success looks like at the University of Houston. As executive director of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Advising Center, she has transformed advising into a proactive, personalized experience that supports students far beyond course selection.

Under her leadership, the NSM Advising Center has become a student-centered “one-stop shop,” helping students navigate academic, financial and personal challenges while removing barriers that previously slowed progress. Her innovative approach and deep commitment to service were recognized in 2025 with the C. F. McElhinney Distinguished Service Award.

To learn more about Sumrow’s journey, we asked her to share insights into her career, her role in supporting UH’s vision for student success and what continues to inspire her work at UH.

Congratulations on receiving the C. F. McElhinney Distinguished Service Award during the President’s Excellence Awards ceremony! What does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?

NS: Thank you so much! I was shocked into silence to receive this award — which is a rarity for me! I am deeply honored by this measure. I appreciate that it recognizes a pattern of continued service with such a high standard of excellence.

President Renu Khator and Natalie Sumrow at the President’s Excellence Ceremony

President Renu Khator and Natalie Sumrow at the President’s Excellence Ceremony

What drew you to joining UH, and how long have you been here?

NS: I am a three-time UH graduate. I came to UH as a freshman in 1993, originally pursuing chemical engineering but later changing to finance, and graduated with membership in the Honors College. I continued my studies to earn a separate degree in entrepreneurship, and later I returned to complete my MBA in 2004.

I recently marked my 25th year of service as a staff member. UH has been the site and conduit for my professional and personal growth, and it is intrinsic to who I am — quite literally part of my personal fabric.

Former students Natalie Merritt and Jon Erickson looking over election information in the Student’s Association Office. (UH Yearbook, Circa 1997, UH Digital Archive)

Former students Natalie Merritt and Jon Erickson looking over election information in the Student’s Association Office. (UH Yearbook, Circa 1997, UH Digital Archive)

“To know that I have been GIFTED an opportunity to engage with students during the phase where they are most likely to discover who they truly are is the best motivator I could imagine!”

How long have you been in your current role, and how did you prepare for this job?

NS: I have served in the executive director role for a couple of years. I was recruited to NSM after nearly a decade in roles ranging from adviser to director at the C. T. Bauer College of Business. My first student job at UH was as an orientation leader and visit coordinator, leading campus tours and supporting recruitment — an experience that ultimately set the foundation for my career.

You’ve transformed the NSM Advising Center into a proactive, student-centered space. What inspired your vision for reimagining the advising experience?

NS: I experienced UH firsthand as a resident undergraduate student. Serving in advising roles across three colleges has given me a broad perspective on what it means to be a student here, which has shaped my vision for advising.

I often say our mission is to help students optimize their college experience by serving as campus resource brokers. When students share their needs and goals, it is our responsibility to outline their options, help tailor a path that fits their circumstances, and support them through graduation and beyond.

Your advising model goes beyond course scheduling. How do you and your team build the types of individualized, relationship-based connections that support each student’s circumstances?
NS: The strongest relationships begin with being present where students are. That means stepping beyond the confines of the office, attending their events, spending time in their spaces and making ourselves accessible.

During my time at the Bauer College of Business, I served as an adviser to a student organization, which became a pivotal moment in understanding how important it is for students to know that you care about them before they care about what you know. I am forever grateful and inspired by the lessons they taught me.

“UH has been the site and conduit for my professional and personal growth, and it is intrinsic to who I am — quite literally part of my personal fabric.”

What motivates you most in your work supporting NSM students?

NS: To know that I have been GIFTED an opportunity to engage with students during the phase where they are most likely to discover who they truly are is the best motivator I could imagine!

What’s one change or innovation you’re most proud of implementing in the NSM Advising Center?
NS: I am most proud of the exceptional team that surrounds me. We have intentionally hired staff with backgrounds in STEM education and related professional experience, which adds an extra layer of expertise and credibility with students. Their strengths in creative problem-solving, improving efficiency and effectiveness in advising, prioritizing student well-being and maintaining a sense of fun make this team truly unique.

Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing to recharge?
NS: I love traveling and have visited all seven continents with my husband, and we are always searching for the next place to explore. I am also an avid fan of food and wine as a way to experience different cultures, which pairs well with another passion of mine — reading a great book. I also love live music of all kinds, as long as it is high quality.

Describe UH in 3 words.
NS: Multifarious. Dynamic. Indomitable.