In Danielle Dunn's position as the director of academic support and outreach programs, she uses her passion for higher education to promote student success — one of the U of A's three strategic priorities.

Dunn manages operations for the unit of student success and the Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence (CORD). She has managed day-to-day operations of the CORD since it opened in January 2022.

"When we opened the CORD building, that was a wonderful opportunity. It was something we wanted to do right because the building means a lot to Cordia Harrington, and it means a lot to the campus community," Dunn said. "It's going to be here much longer than any of us, so making sure the building's legacy was strong to start with was a fun challenge."

Dunn has worked in several departments in her career at the university. She first connected with the U of A at a career fair and landed a job in housing as a coordinator for resident education. According to Dunn, working in housing was an invaluable experience that prepared her to deal with anything her current job may throw at her.

"I think people who work in housing are built differently; nothing surprises us," Dunn said. "People could come in and do all sorts of things here, and other employees will be shocked, while housing people are like, 'it's just another day.' Student Affairs and housing are great places to start if you're wanting to get into higher education."

After a couple of years in housing, Dunn was hired as an academic counselor at the Walton College of Business. This was a significant shift in her career that allowed her to see a completely different side of the student experience.

"Switching over from housing to advising was a big moment for me because it was a switch from student affairs to academic affairs," Dunn said. "That opened my eyes to just how much curriculum management meant to students. Having well-thought-out degrees impacts their entire experience, so I really appreciated being able to have worked in both units and make that switch."

The Office of Student Success has grown immensely. Dunn began with a team of one, and she now manages a team of over 40 people made up of professional staff, graduate students and hourly student workers. These students are part of a campus employment program built to help them succeed during their time at the U of A and in their futures. Her student workers operate the welcome desk and help make the CORD a student-friendly environment, but they also meet with a mentor every month and work on career-readiness skills. 

"I truly believe that higher education can make a difference," Dunn said. "There is a chance that university staff and faculty members can hurt a student's future depending on how they interact with us in their first years. We want to make sure that students who are going through their own big pivotal moments are given a chance to flourish. I think it's those opportunities that keep me here."

Along with the student impact her position provides, Dunn appreciates the support the university gives her as both an employee and a mother. Her four-year-old son has attended the Jean Tyson Child Development Center since he was just a few months old. Dunn is grateful for the quality care he has received there and the convenience of childcare being located on campus.

"He goes to a school from birth until he goes to kindergarten," she said. "He's not at a daycare, he's at a school with lesson plans, learning outcomes and educators who are well-trained, passionate and caring. That school has benefited our family greatly. He has turned into the little human that he is in part because of the teachers he has there."

Dunn believes that the U of A is a great working environment. She feels supported by her managers and colleagues to focus on promoting student success at work and do what she needs to take care of her family.

"The people here understand that you have work and you have life," Dunn said. "Sometimes those two mix, and sometimes they need to be separate. Allowing you to come to the table as the employee that you are is a really nice thing about the university."

About the Employee Spotlight Series: The employee spotlight series highlights U of A faculty and staff members, the impact they have on campus and the community more broadly, and what makes the university an employer of choice for them individually. Each U of A employee plays a critical role in advancing the 150 Forward strategic priorities: advancing student success, achieving research excellence and enhancing the university's status as an employer of choice. If you have a recommendation of an employee to interview, contact Rachel Gerner at rgerner@uark.edu.