faculty portrait if available
Darrion Jenkins
Assistant Professor
School of Management
HMPH 154
318-342-1168
ULM logo

Darrion J Jenkins, MPA
Assistant Professor, Business & Entrepreneurship
Director, ULM Precision Ag & USA Research Center

Education

EdD

, Curriculum & Instruction
University of Louisiana at Monroe

BS

2019, Aviation
University of Louisiana at Monroe

Biographical Sketch

Darrion Flunder-Jenkins serves as the Director of the Precision Ag & UAS Research Center at the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM). In this role, he is responsible for supervising the advancement of technologies and optimal methodologies for drone operators in the state of Louisiana. Darrion was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard upon his completion of high school. Darrion served for a period of 8 years, during which he was sent to Afghanistan. It was during this deployment that he developed a strong interest in unmanned aerial vehicles, as he operated drones during operations to clear routes and protect the safety of his fellow soldiers and the local population. Darrion is a ULM alumnus who has earned two degrees and is currently working towards a Doctor of Education degree. His objective is to emphasize the need of educating young black boys and girls about the many facets of the aviation industry, with the aim of encouraging them to seek unconventional career prospects.

Licensure & Certification

Transportation Security Officer Basic Training Program, Department of Homeland Security. (March 2019 - Present)
Remote Pilot, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (May 15 2021 - January 31 2025)

Recent Publications

Flunder-Jenkins, D. Structuring Drone Curriculum in Higher Education (pp. 9). Tusla, OK: SOUTHWEST ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT.
Flunder-Jenkins, D. J. (2023). Sky Breakers Take Flight. AviNation.

Research Grants

Flunder-Jenkins, D. (Principal), "FAA Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grant Program" (Not Funded), Sponsored By DOT Federal Aviation Administration, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $380,951.28. (August 2023 - Present).
Flunder-Jenkins, D. (Principal), "ULM Opportunity Fund" (Funded), Sponsored By ULM Foundation, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $4,165.80. (December 2022 - Present).
Flunder-Jenkins, D. (Principal), "ULM Training the Trainer Using Unmanned Aerial System and LMA and La MATS municipality support" (Funded), Sponsored By Delta Regional Authority, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $107,500. (March 2022 2022 - March 2023 2023).

Awards & Honors

July 2014 The Army Commendation Medal .

May 2014 Certificate of Achievement .

Courses Taught

AVIA 1010PRIMARY GROUND INSTRUCTION, 1 course(s)

AVIA 1011PRIMARY GROUND INSTRUCTION, 1 course(s)

AVIA 2080INTRO UNMAN AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS, 5 course(s)

AVIA 3080UAS DESIGN AND SYSTEMS, 3 course(s)

AVIA 3081UAS GROUND COMM TELEMETRY, 3 course(s)

AVIA 4030AVIATION LAW, 2 course(s)

AVIA 4070AIRPORT ADMINISTRATION, 3 course(s)

AVIA 4080IMAGE INTER GEOSPATIAL INFO, 3 course(s)

AVIA 4081UAS OPERATIONS, 2 course(s)