Eric Dunker

2021-22 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow
Eric Dunker currently serves as the associate vice president and dean of business, technology, and workforce partnerships at Arapahoe Community College. He leads 2 extended campuses in Castle Rock and Parker and leads ACC's efforts in industry and community engagement. Eric co-led the cultivation of $11.1 million in private donations for the Sturm Collaboration Campus, co-created innovative apprenticeships in health care, technology, and business, and co-created responsive career-ready programs for displaced workers in the Denver-south region during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dunker serves on the Colorado State Youth Council board, Arapahoe/Douglas workforce board, and the Colorado State University county extension board.

Dunker has 16 years of experience in higher education in areas such as outreach and engagement, continuing education, academic support, and assessment. Prior to ACC, Dunker served as the coastal regional director for Oregon State University Extension/Outreach and Engagement. Dunker led 6 county extension offices and helped implement new strategic initiatives for engagement. Prior to OSU, Dunker worked in a variety of roles for 9 years at MSU Denver, which is a Hispanic Serving Institution in downtown Denver. Dunker graduated from Bucknell University with his BSBA, Colorado State University with an MS, and the University of Denver with a PhD in curriculum and instruction.

Dunker is married to Katie and they have three children. They love traveling, spending time as a family, and staying active.