An Update from the Interim Chair

Greetings! It is my pleasure to share some updates from the Department of Economics. First, allow me introduce myself.

I am a Professor of Agricultural Economics with specialization in agribusiness and food industry management. I started my 20th academic year at ISU. I received my BA in Economics from Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey, MS degrees in both Economics and Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky.

I joined the Department of Economics on July 1st as the Interim Chair and I am enjoying getting to know the Economics faculty, staff, students, and the alumni. I attended several administrative retreats/workshops to learn about the systems in place. I also participated in student/family visits during Preview, Graduate Student orientation meeting, Welcome Back cookout for faculty, staff, and the students, and recently held two “Meet the Chair” events to get to learn more about the undergraduate students’ needs, aspirations, and goals. Most recently, we hosted Dominic Colletti’12 as our Homecoming Alumni Day guest.

I am pleased to report that we have renovated STV 439 as the Economics Learning Center. The design of the space serves three main functions: a space for individual focus and academic work (STV 439A), a space for collaborative work (STV 439B), and a multipurpose common area (front area of STV 439) as a student lounge that can easily be converted to a space for group work, presentations, student organization meetings, and meetings with the community to strengthen the department’s relationship with the Bloomington-Normal community. We expect this physical space to be ready for use in January 2023. STV 438, one of the computer labs, was also upgraded with new computers.

We submitted the 8-year Program Review for both B.A./B.S. and MA/MS in Economics program to the Provost’s office. Graduate program is robust and undergraduate enrollment has increased.

Dr. Susan Chen and I, in partnership with the Undergraduate Women in Economics (UWE) Student Organization, submitted three proposals to fund several initiatives. The overarching theme of the proposals is to improve enrollment and student success by increasing awareness of our program through targeted enrollment strategies, reconnecting with alumni, and increasing networking and professional development opportunities for current students with the help of the alumni. The College of Arts and Sciences funded two of the proposals and the Office of the Provost has approved funding for the third proposal. The proposed initiatives include:

• Alumni to be featured on our social media outlets
• Economics Ambassadors Program. Current Economics students will help with student recruitment, orientation, and peer advising. They will also participate in professional development opportunities to help them further achieve their own future goals and aspirations.
• A day trip to Chicago for current students to visit companies where Economics alumni work.
• Guest Speaker Series and Career Panel with Economics Alumni
• Alumni videos on “Why major in Economics?”
• Reviving Economics Advisory Board (EAB).
• Welcome Back Event for the current majors and minors and those enrolled in the introductory courses (ECO 101, 102, 103 & 138)
• Utilize the Economics Learning Center (STV 439) as a place for active engagement and collaboration between students and faculty
• Bi-annual mini-conference of senior capstone project presentations
• Graduation reception
• Host a “Meet and Greet” event on Homecoming day.
• Online Marketing Campaign to create awareness towards our program among potential students and high school guidance counselors.
• Establish a Recruitment and Retention Committee to oversee efforts, both on and off-campus.

Some of the initiatives in our proposal need your, Economics Alumni, support. Please go to Alumni Survey and let us know how we can partner with you.

I invite you to follow us on Department of Economics Website,  Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thank you all for your support.

Dr. Aslihan Spaulding

Interim Department Chair

LinkedIn Profile

Spaulding named Department of Economics interim chairperson

Dr. Aslihan Spaulding, professor of agribusiness and food industry management, joined the Department of Economics as the interim chairperson on July 1, 2022.

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Undergraduate Program Director Update

• In the spring semester, the Department successfully nominated Enrique Aguirre as the 2022-2023 Bone Scholar
• Two undergraduate teaching assistants were hired for AY 22-23: Enrique Aguirre and Xavier Arriaga
• As part of the 8-year Program Review, the self-study for the undergraduate programs (B.A. and B.S.) was conducted throughout the summer and was submitted to the College on September 15^th.

Dr. Susan Chen, Professor and Undergraduate Program Director

Graduate Program Director Update

• High academic performing profiles of applicants to the M.S. in Applied Economics graduate program (3.6 GPA, 311 average GPA).
• Funded 12.5 full-time graduate assistant positions (21 unique graduate students).
• Total enrollment of 36 graduate students, with a one-to-one ratio of male-to-female students and more than two-thirds of international students.
• Exploring the creation of a Master’s program in Data Science focusing on Public Policy.
• Planning to introduce an accelerated (4+1) M.S. program.
• First cohort who graduated with the recent STEM designation of our M.S. in Applied Economics program.

Dr. Dimitrios Nikolaou, Professor and Undergraduate Program Director

STUDENTS

Our amazing students are accomplishing great things!

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SCHOLARLY PRODUCTIVITY

Our faculty are making great contributions via research.

PUBLICATIONS

• Dr. Susan Chen
  • Gender Gap in Tenure & Promotion: Evidence from the Economics Ph.D. Class of 2008. (with Qihong Liu and MJ Kim). 2022. Southern Economic Journal. 88 (4),1277-1312.
• Dr. Rajeev Goel
  • Do various innovation linkages enhance innovation? International evidence. Kiel Working Papers, Kiel Institute for the World Economy
  • Explaining Vaccine Hesitancy: A Covid-19 Study of the United States. CESifo Working Paper Series
  • The Nexus between Corruption and Academic Freedom: An International Examination Using Mediation Analysis. CESifo Working Paper Series
• Dr. George Waters
  • The many faces of the Taylor rule for advanced undergraduate macroeconomics International Review of Economics Education,41, 2022
  • Detecting periodically collapsing bubbles in the S&P 500, with Quynh NhuNguyen, The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Volume 83, February 2022, Pages 83-91
  • An empirical test for bubbles in cryptocurrency markets, with Thuy Bui, Journal of Economics and Finance, 46, (2022): 207–219.
• Dr. Dimitrios Nikolaou
  • Nikolaou, D. and L.M. Crispin. 2022. Estimating the Effects of Sports and Physical Exercise on Bullying. Contemporary Economic Policy 40(2): 283–303.
  • Nikolaou, D. 2022. Same-Sex Marriage Laws, LGBT Hate Crimes, and Employment Discrimination Charges. Southern Economic Journal 88(3): 869–905.
  • Nikolaou, D. 2022. Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Youth Health Behaviors. Kyklos, International Review of Social Sciences 75(1): 75–105.
  • Nikolaou, D. 2022. Identifying the Effects of Bullying Victimization on Schooling. Contemporary Economic Policy 40(1): 162–189.

PRESENTATIONS

• Dr. Susan Chen
  • 2022 Academy of Economics and Finance Meeting (virtual), February 2022, paper presented “The Pricing and Quality Effects of Market Exit: Evidence from American Airlines’ Recent International Route Cancellations”
  • Western Economic Association 16^th International Annual Conference (virtual), April 2022, paper presented “The Pricing and Quality Effects of Market Exit: Evidence from American Airlines’ Recent International Route Cancellations”
  • 2022 Western Economic Association 97th Annual Conference (virtual), July 2022, paper presented “Does COVID-19 increase Price Dispersion? Recent evidence from the Airline Industry”
  • 2022 Chinese Economist Society Annual Conference (virtual), June 2022, paper presented “Does COVID-19 increase Price Dispersion? Recent evidence from the Airline Industry”

• Dr. Tim Harris
  • University of Kentucky Seminar Series, “Small Business Tax Compliance under Third-Party Reporting” January 21, 2022
  • Kent State University Seminar Series, “Adverse Selection in the Group Life Insurance Market” March 18, 2022
  • Eastern Economic Association Conference, “Paid Sick Leave and Absenteeism” May 5, 2022
  • Western Economic Association Conference, “The Impact of COVID-19 Diagnoses on Student Performance and Retention” June 29, 2022
  • Illinois State University Applied Econometric Seminar, “The Impact of COVID-19 Diagnoses on Student Performance and Retention” September 1, 2022

• Dr. George Waters
  • “One Point = One Point” Basketball Data, Department of Economics Seminar Series, Spring 2022.

• Dr. Dimitrios Nikolaou
  • Southern Economic Association, Fort Lauderdale, FL. “Sexual Orientation, Bullying Victimization, and Equal Rights Legislation.” November 2022.
  • Southern Economic Association, Fort Lauderdale, FL. “Health Effects of Marriage Equality Legislation across the U.S.” November 2022.
  • Western Economic Association, Virtual. “Health Effects of Marriage Equality Legislation across the U.S.” June 2022.
  • Eastern Economic Association, Jamaica. “The Bullying-Education Gradient: Victims and Perpetrators of Bullying Behaviors in Developed and Developing Countries.” May 2022.
  • Eastern Economic Association, Jamaica. “Anti-Bullying Legislation and Academic Performance across OECD Countries.” May 2022.

IN THE NEWS

Interviews with the media.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Our faculty and staff are recognized for their accomplishments and dedication.

• Dr. Susan Chen received the 2022 James V. Koch – Advisory Board Faculty Development Award.
• In recognition of his international research, Dr. Rajeev Goel is affiliated with the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany (https://www.ifw-kiel.de/experts/ifw/rajeev-goel/), and the Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean (ISMed), National Research Council, in Italy (https://www.ismed.cnr.it/it/goel-rajeev)John A. Dossey Award for
• Dr. Dimitrios Nikolaou received the College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Teaching Award and the Outstanding College Service Award.