Dr. Dimitrios Nikolaou, professor of economics, started his new role as the chairperson of the Department of Economics on July 1, 2023.
Nikolaou joined Illinois State University in 2013 and has served extensively on committees at multiple levels of the University, including the Secretary of the Academic Senate, a member of the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate, Chair of the Administrative Affairs and Budget Committee, Academic Planning Committee, Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, Secretary of the College of Arts & Sciences College Council, and as a member of the College Curriculum Committee. Among his many roles in the Department of Economics, he served as the Graduate Program director between 2019 and 2023. In spring 2023, Nikolaou was also named the interim executive director of the Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies, beginning July 1, 2023.
During his tenure at Illinois State, Nikolaou has made significant contributions to research, teaching, and service. As a prolific scholar, he published 14 peer-reviewed publications in leading economics journals, including nine solo-authored articles. The department recognized his scholarly contributions through the Scott M. Elliott Faculty Excellence Award in 2017, 2020, and 2023. Nikolaou has also established himself as a top-notch instructor in the department. In 2022, he received the John A. Dossey Award for Outstanding Teaching, the highest honor bestowed upon a tenured faculty member by the College of Arts and Sciences. His extensive experience leading committees and contributing to shared governance led to the 2018-19 University Service Initiative Award, the 2021 Redbirds RISE to the COVID Challenge Award, and the 2022-23 Outstanding College Service Award. He has also been selected to join the 2019-20 Leadership Initiative Cohort. Most recently, he has been accepted into the 2023-24 Multicultural Leadership Program. Through this highly selective program, Nikolaou collaborates with local leaders and partners to further develop authentic relationships and foster diverse and inclusive perspectives in the community.
Less than three months into his role as the chairperson, Nikolaou has already immersed himself into the new position by meeting with students and their families, industry leaders, local corporates, and faculty and staff across the campus. His goal is to combine his knowledge of curricula, university policies and procedures, and his relationships within the University and alums with changing trends in the labor market to increase the reputation of programs and lead the department to its new era. Innovative curricula with opportunities for stackable certificates, increased professional practice opportunities, accelerated programs, and emphasis on data analytics for policy evaluation are only some examples of his five-year plan. At the epicenter of all changes is student success, and recruiting a more diverse body of students and faculty is among the top priorities.
“I look forward to collaborating with our alumni and local businesses toward the common goal of building an even stronger department to support our students, our faculty, our staff, and our local community,” said Nikolaou.
Nikolaou received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Economics degrees from The Ohio State University and his M.S. and bachelor’s degrees in economics from the University of Macedonia in Greece.
