Funk Named Director of UA Little Rock School of Business

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named Dr. Mark Funk as the new director of its School of Business, bringing extensive leadership to guide the program's continued growth and innovation.

"I'm thrilled to take on this new role as director of the School of Business at such an exciting time," Funk said. "With rising enrollment and the incredible momentum we've built, there's a real sense of energy and possibility. I'm eager to continue our classroom to community efforts, connecting with the community and driving innovation, ensuring our students are prepared to succeed in today's dynamic business environment."

Funk has taken over for Dr. Robert Mitchell, who retired this year after a notable 45-year career with UA Little Rock.

The School of Business is home to about 1,000 students in its Master of Business Administration and Business Information Systems and Analytics graduate programs and eight undergraduate programs. The School of Business is also home to multiple certificates and minors as well as the Center for Student and Career Services, State Farm Business Skills Lab, and the Kenneth Pat Wilson Center for Economic Education.

Funk has a bachelor's degree in history and a bachelor's degree in economics from Trinity University as well as a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California-Davis. He served as an assistant professor of economics at St. Louis University before joining UA Little Rock in the same role in 2003.

Before becoming the director, Funk has previously served as the chair of the Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance, interim associate dean, and interim chair of the Department of Marketing and Advertising. He teaches managerial economics in the MBA program at UA Little Rock.

"Dr. Mark Funk's extensive career at UA Little Rock, coupled with his strong connections within the community, makes him an exciting choice as the new director of the School of Business," said Thomas Clifton, interim dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services at UA Little Rock. "His deep institutional knowledge and dedication to the university will help lead the school forward. We're eager to see the positive impact he'll bring in this role and confident his leadership will be a great asset to both the university and the local business community."

In his new role, Funk is dedicated to transforming student success through innovative programs that align with community needs and empower students to achieve their academic and career goals. By fostering strong connections between faculty and the business community, he aims to expand scholarships and fuel initiatives that elevate student achievement and opportunity.

"My goal is to support student success, faculty initiatives, and scholarships that make college more affordable for Arkansans and attract top talent," Funk said. "We're focused on creating impactful programs in partnership with the Arkansas business community and providing opportunities for students and faculty to directly engage with the community, like Elizabeth Small's real estate students collaborating on development projects in Central Arkansas, and Wenjun Wang's business information students completing projects for the City of Little Rock.

The faculty are already developing new courses and programs exploring artificial intelligence in business and are expanding our entrepreneurship and small business program, as we work to strengthen partnerships and increase our impact with business and community partners."

Funk is also looking forward to the opportunity to connect with alumni from the School of Business, who have two upcoming events to meet with Funk: the Distinguished Business Alumni of the Year Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 18 at the Little Rock Marriott and the Northwest Arkansas School of Business Alumni Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 22 at the Catfish Hole in Fayetteville.

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