Employee Spotlight: Mark Hubbell

Rachel Gerner

Hubbell takes pride in knowing his work on the finance team supports an organization that is focused on the success of students.

After working at multiple sites in the U of A system, Mark Hubbell has found his home at the Fayetteville campus. 

Hubbell is the controller in the Office of Financial Affairs. He is responsible for the financial ledger and accounting systems, and he works with three departments: property accounting, accounts payable and the associate controller's office. One thing Hubbell appreciates about his position is that he feels confident in his colleagues. 

"I work in a really good department," Hubbell said. "I have a lot of good peers like Susan Slinkard in Cash Management as well as Jason Rankin and Penny Mills in the Treasurer's Office; we coordinate really well." 

Hubbell began his career at the U of A Division of Agriculture Extension Service in Little Rock. During that time, he coordinated financial transactions between the Division and Fayetteville campus with Larrie Stolfi, the controller. Little did he know that 13 years later he would be Stolfi's successor when he retired after 50 years of services to the Fayetteville campus. 

Hubbell later worked in financial services at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, and was promoted to director. When Stolfi retired from the controller role in 2018, Associate Vice Chancellor Mike White recruited Hubbell for the job. 

Hubbell was interested in relocating his family to Northwest Arkansas and enjoying the intrinsic benefits of the community. After all, Fayetteville has been a mainstay on U.S. News & World Report's best places to live list in recent years. 

Hubbell said he also appreciates that full-time, benefits-eligible employees receive eight hours of leave each year to participate in, assist with or attend their children's educational activities. 

"I was able to take paid leave through the children's educational activities benefit to attend a pumpkin patch field trip with my child in kindergarten," he said. "I really enjoyed watching him and helping make sure the children were all herded in the right direction." 

In his time at the U of A, Hubbell has had the opportunity to work on campus and at the Uptown West building. While he appreciates the conveniences of Uptown West, such as ease of parking for employees and visitors, he says that it does not compare to the energy of campus. He takes joy in knowing his efforts support an organization that is focused on the success of the students. 

"I'm happy to be doing work that supports students in their academic pursuits," Hubbell said. "When I was on the campus, I liked seeing students going to classes or the library and enjoyed when they have an event in the courtyard by the library. It's great to see what we are a part of." 

Darby Gilliland contributed to writing this article. 

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.