Walk into the Communications Advising Center on the second floor of Carnegie Building and it's hard not to notice the energetic woman in office 208.

Sue Garis, Division of Undergraduate Studies coordinator for the School of Communications, credits all of her spunk to her career.

"I love my job," Garis said, calling Penn State a great place to work.

Garis is no amateur when it comes to the University -- she earned an undergraduate degree in arts and sciences and a graduate degree in counselor education here.

Garis also managed to find her "Mr. Right" in between going to class and cramming for tests.

"My blood is blue," she said; and she wasn't kidding. Garis and her husband Jeff, who is the associate director for the Career Development and Placement Services, were married in Eisenhower Chapel.

"Being a mother is my other job," Garis added. She has two children, 13-year-old Jennifer and 7-year-old Greg.

The Garis family also includes a dog, two cats, a hamster, rabbits and fish.

Before landing her current position, Garis was an editor for DUS publications.

In December of 1988, Brian Winston, dean of the School of Communications, asked Garis to help start an advising center within the school.

"I didn't know anyone. My office consisted of a desk and a pile of dirt in the corner," she said.

When the time came for Garis to return to her original position in DUS, she didn't want to leave. She recognized her interest in students, applied for the position she created and got it.

Since her first day with the School of Communications, Garis has been named to several different positions besides DUS coordinator. She is currently the University Scholars adviser for freshmen and sophomores enrolled in Communications and the sexual harassment officer for the students and faculty of the school.

Some may wonder how one person can juggle all of the responsibilities Garis faces.

"I get up every morning at 10 after five and run with the dog," she said.

Garis claims her jogging is a major source of her energy, and that energy follows her all the way to the office.

"She has a tremendous concern and interest in her students and a true professional commitment to the field of advising," said Judy Aronson, DUS adviser for the College of Arts and Architecture.

But Garis' colleagues aren't the only ones who seem to sense her dedication. Christopher Loss (sophomore-communications) said Garis has really helped him.

"I came in the middle of last semester and wanted to change from communications to history. She was totally supportive and made it easy for me," said Loss.

Many of Garis' advisees mention her genuine concern for students.

"She knows everybody and she really cares about them," said Jennifer Webber (freshman-communications).

Aronson explained why students are so comfortable with Garis.

"She uses her resources very well," Aronson said, adding that Garis always gives an extra effort even if it means staying overtime.

"She goes the whole nine yards," Aronson added.

Paulette Papadopoulos, an adviser in the communications center, said that Garis not only helps students, but encourages all the center's advisers to develop and go beyond the realms of the job.

"We're doing more because of her -- I admire her energy," she said.

Garis prides herself on knowing her students not just from an adviser's standpoint but on a more personal basis as well. She said advising is only part of the job.

Because the School of Communications is so small, the advisers can meet one on one with the students and their parents during a freshman orientation program. Garis called this a tremendous advantage and a rarity at a large school like Penn State.

Garis emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded education and advocates diversity at the University.

"The diversity in the courses, people and cultural events is something you just can't get at a small school," Garis said.