Forty Under 40: Meagan Bowling Fudge

Just say yes. It’s worked out so far for Meagan Bowling Fudge, who has for the past several years worked to not only bring students to the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) but push for their success once enrolled.

Fudge is about halfway into a four-year process where all Arkansas public universities work on a student record-keeping system. She said the system’s student success and retention element would effectively improve student outcomes.

“It’s less tech-heavy than one might think,” Fudge said. “It’s more about the process and [asking] are we doing the right thing by the students.”

That process has been a big part of her career. Fudge earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from UAFS in 2012 and a master’s degree in public administration from Arkansas State University.

Known for her long record of service to her alma mater, Fudge’s first UAFS job was as an administrative assistant in the admissions office. She advanced to become a recruiter, working with schools in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. She advanced to helping high school students earn college credit. She said the concurrent credit program gave students a “first look” at college.

“It gives them a real taste of what to expect and not to be overwhelmed … And for some, it shows them that they are capable,” she said.

Her work on the ongoing student system is a pleasant surprise in her career path and is part of her goal to have a statewide impact on higher education.

“Some days, I think it was by accident,” she said. “I mean, no one says in college they want to be a coordinator for a big software student information system. I just said yes to new things.”

Fudge is a 2018 graduate of Leadership Fort Smith and a 2023 graduate of Leadership Arkansas. She’s a board member for the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas.