The University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Tuesday named Mark Funk, a former chair of the Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance, as director of the university’s School of Business.
He follows Robert Mitchell, who retired this year after a 45-year career with the university.
In his new role, Funk said he aims to support student success, faculty initiatives and scholarships that make college more affordable for Arkansans and attract top talent.
“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,” such as collaborations between real estate students and area developers, and city projects that involve business information students, he said in a news release.
Funk, who teaches managerial economics in UA Little Rock’s MBA program, said faculty are also developing new courses and programs exploring artificial intelligence in business and are expanding the entrepreneurship and small business programs. The goal, he said, is to strengthen partnerships and increase the university’s impact on business and community partners.
The School of Business has about 1,000 students in its graduate and undergraduate programs. It’s 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 joined UA Little Rock in 2003 as an associate professor of economics. He came to Little Rock from St. Louis University, where he held the same position.
He holds a bachelor’s in history and a bachelor’s in economics from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, as well as a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California-Davis.
“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.”
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