On Friday, September 18, 2026, the College Fed Challenge Stamford team visited the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY) for the Orientation for the 2026 competition. Students were greeted by the New York Fed President and CEO, John C. Williams, who shared his economic outlook and answered students’ questions.

The event also included presentations from the Market Group and the Education Department. Students received a lot of valuable information about the state of the economy, the operations of the New York Fed, and about the competition.

With the help of Aidan Connolly (’21), UConn Stamford Economics and College Fed Challenge alum, the team had gotten the opportunity to visit the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) afterwards. The students saw the equity floor and the options floor, as well as the NYSE bell. Since this was an expiry day, the options exchange was very busy, and students got a first-hand account of the hectic market atmosphere. We are grateful to Aidan Connolly (’21) and his contacts at NYSE for an informative visit.

The faculty adviser to the Stamford Fed Challenge team is Professor Smirnova who encourages students’ exposure to economists, business experts, and alumni through extracurricular professional activities outside the University. Dr. Smirnova believes that unique opportunities, such as these, help Stamford Economics students gain professional competencies and skills that are transferrable from the college classroom to the workplace and prepare them well for careers upon graduation.

At the Federal Reserve Bank of New York

At the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

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