Marion Dunagan

Program Director, Northwest Arkansas

Joined: 2023

Marion’s passion for service and education has led to a career dedicated to bringing access and opportunity to students of all ages. With experience in K-12, community college, regional institutions, and a Research 1 university, Marion has worked with many students, from 7th graders learning to shake hands to Ph.D. students studying entrepreneurship. Most notably, Marion served as Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs at the Sam M. Walton College of Business for over a decade, honing her interest in entrepreneurship and business plan competitions and allowing her to develop a large network focused on the Northwest Arkansas start-up community.

A native of Fayetteville, Marion leads Young Entrepreneur Institute’s work in Northwest Arkansas, cultivating the region’s K-12 entrepreneurship education ecosystem of educators, curriculum providers, entrepreneurial advisors, and start-up founders. Marion consults with educators looking for the perfect entrepreneurship curriculum for their classroom, curriculum providers who would like to join YEI’s effort, and community partners focused on improving K-12 education in Northwest Arkansas.

Marion holds an earned doctorate in Workforce Education, a master’s degree in English Literature, and a bachelors in forensic anthropology, all from the University of Arkansas.

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