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Stamford Students meet Chairman Powell at the Federal Reserve Board

The UConn Stamford College Fed Challenge 2023 team attended the College Fed Challenge Open House at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. on February 9, 2024.

At the Open House, students had the opportunity to network with their peers, hear from Chairman Jerome Powell and staff from the Monetary Affairs division – all in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Board hosting the College Fed Challenge finals.

This trip has an educational value that cannot be replicated through any other venue. Students’ learning outcomes included: 1) experiential learning at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors; 2) deeper knowledge acquisition of the structure of the Federal Reserve Board, conduct of monetary policy, and internship and employment opportunities at the Board; 3) networking with the Federal Reserve officials and students from other universities.

The highlight of the trip was the meeting with Chairman Powell and taking a picture with him.

Group photo of Fed Chairman Powell standing with Stamford students and Professor Natalia Smirnova
First row: (from left to right) Kiet Tran, Professor Smirnova, Chairman Powell, Adrien Vincent, Kevin Jankowski; second row: (from left to right) Noah Park, Felix Brito-Velazquez, Parth Trivedi

The trip was organized by Professor Smirnova, the faculty adviser to the team, and made possible by collaborative efforts of the Economics Department, CLAS Associate Deans Office, the Business School, and the Stamford campus. The students are grateful for the opportunity to expand their economics knowledge and career competencies such as teamwork, professionalism, and career and self-development.

We ate the cake too!

Cake

UConn Stamford Team Competes in the 2023 College Fed Challenge

The UConn Stamford team participated again this year in the College Fed Challenge national competition. The College Fed Challenge is a team competition for undergraduate students. Teams analyze economic and financial conditions and formulate a monetary policy recommendation, modeling the Federal Open Market Committee.

The Fall 2023 Stamford team consisted of seven students who represent a diverse set of majors and minors at the Stamford campus.

UConn Stamford Fed Challenge team members
UConn-Stamford Team before the Orientation at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on September 12, 2023. From left to right: Kiet Tran, Noah Park, Danile Barreto, Dr. Smirnova, Kevin Jankowski, Adrien Vincent, Serhiy Kotsopey (TA), Felix Brito-Velazquez, and Parth Trivedi.

Daniel Barreto, Team Leader. He is a senior majoring in Economics. His passion lies in understanding the intricate workings of the economy, a skill he found invaluable in his ventures within financial markets. One of his primary career goals is to perpetually expand his knowledge and push his limits in life. His part-time position at a law firm, which commenced in the spring, has played a pivotal role in advancing his aspirations of becoming a corporate lawyer. Daniel’s summer fellowship at WaveAerospace provided him with invaluable insights into the dynamics of a small business startup. It was an experience that deepened his understanding of economics and business, further propelling him toward career goals. Upon graduation, Daniel plans to pursue further studies in corporate law. Read Daniel’s reflection here.

Felix Brito-Velazquez is a senior majoring in Economics. He has embarked on his journey in economics driven by a genuine interest in how money shapes our society. His passion for economics started as he experienced the consequences and witnessed the complexities behind Venezuela’s economic collapse, a crisis triggered by government intervention in the central bank and private sector. This early curiosity has since evolved into a broader interest including politics, finance, and history. In parallel to his academic pursuits, he has spent the last five years as a Personal Banker at Bank of America, where he has had the opportunity of helping individuals navigate their financial decisions. It’s his deeply held aspiration to merge his academic knowledge, real world experience, and enthusiasm to play a meaningful role in crafting a more equitable economic environment for all. Read Felix’s reflection here.

Kevin Jankowski is currently in his third year at the University of Connecticut, where he is studying Financial Management with a minor in Economics. Kevin is passionate about his academic pursuits and has plans to continue his education with a master’s degree in quantitative risk management. Kevin’s career goal is to enter the world of Investment Banking. He is dedicated to working hard and seizing opportunities to expand his knowledge and skills. Read Kevin’s reflection here.

Tuan Kiet Tran comes from Vietnam. He is a sophomore majoring in Marketing Management. The striking cultural contrasts between his homeland and the US have opened his eyes not only to the vast economic disparities but also to the power of decision-making on a global scale. His passion for economics stems not merely from textbook theories but from witnessing the profound impact that decisions made by a few can have on the lives of millions. This understanding deepened as his personal hobby of cooking confronted him with the stark reality of escalating grocery prices. The surge in daily expenses prompted his curiosity, leading me to participate in the Fed Challenge. Kiet’s involvement in the Fed Challenge further enriched his understanding, demystifying the forces behind inflation and potential countermeasures. As he continues his academic journey, he remains committed to bridging the gaps between theory, personal experiences, and real-world implications. Read Kiet’s reflection here.

Parth Trivedi is a senior majoring in Economics. As a teenager, he had a passion for economic theory which he was able to nurture with the guidance of the Econ department at UConn. The Federal Reserve Challenge has lived up to its name, testing Parth’s analytical and communication skills. Though Parth had hoped to win, he hopes that the experience of a competition itself will allow him to prove himself capable as a professional Economist.

Noah Park is the Student Body Vice-President and a senior majoring in Digital Media & Design and minoring in Economics. Noah was honored to represent our university’s economics team, especially for the prestigious College Fed Challenge competition at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. As a team member, Noah closely examined and forecasted trends within the current housing market. While his primary major may seem distinct from economics, he firmly believes in the importance of understanding financial markets across all sectors. His passion for economics was ignited by his fascinations with numbers, especially measuring statistics for his favorite sport, the NBA, as well as his desire to comprehend the complexities behind the 2008 housing market crash, a pivotal event that highlighted the far-reaching consequences of economic shifts today.

Noah’s commitment to both design and economics is a testament to the diverse and integrative education offered at UConn-Stamford, demonstrating the symbiotic relationship between design thinking and economic acumen. Post-graduation, his aspirations are both clear and ambitious. He intends to seamlessly weave business and economics in his personal endeavors, focusing on individuals, particularly those with ADHD. By tapping into the synergies of his academic background, Noah plans to devise strategies to empower individuals with ADHD to enhance their executive functioning skills, enabling them to lead more fulfilled and productive lives. In tandem with this venture, Noah is fervently pursuing a part-time position as a summer TA at Yale University. This role promises to be a keystone in his academic journey, facilitating his advancement in the management master’s program and allowing Noah to further delve into the confluence of design, economics, and impactful pedagogy. Read Noah’s reflection here.

Adrien Vincent is a sophomore pursuing Financial Management with a passion for entrepreneurship. Throughout his college experience, Adrien has strived for success in the business world through various internships and the Student Government CFO of UConn Stamford. His drive for business ventures has allocated his goals in various directions, which gratefully enabled him to join the Fed Challenge Team at Stamford. Aside from Adrien’s business ventures, he enjoys branching out into other interests and hobbies, such as playing in chess tournaments, producing music, and going camping. Read Adrien’s reflection here.

The 2023 competition was still virtual, but the Orientation at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York was in-person. The 2023 team’s video is available here.

The experience of the College Fed Challenge competition is an extraordinary way to build career competencies. As students reflected in their essays, the course teaches them not only economics knowledge, but also critical thinking, communication, and team building skills. Participation in this competition becomes a cornerstone of their academic career at UConn and is offered as ECON 3492-Practicum course.

Economics GA Training Seminar – Fall 2023

The 2023 Fall Economics Graduate Assistant (GA) Training Seminar was held in Herbst (Previously Oak) 312 on November 1, 2023. The GA training seminar was designed to help student instructors and graduate assistants in the Economics Department succeed in their teaching roles at UConn, and to help promote their professional development.

During the event, Professor Talia Bar, Professor Tianxu Chen, Professor Delia Furtado and Professor Derek Johnson shared their teaching experiences, and addressed a variety of issues/questions raised by our student instructors and GAs. Specifically, the topics addressed in the seminar included (1) responsibility of instructors, (2) evaluation of teaching, (3) improving attendance, (4) responding to students’ emails, (5) suggestions for first time teaching, and (6) disputes between instructor and student.

Student instructors teaching in Fall 2023 and other GAs participated in the seminar. They also shared their teaching experiences, and the challenges they face, with the faculty and their peers. The event was a big success, and provided valuable support for our student instructors and GAs. The seminar was coordinated by Professor Chen, who is also the instructor for ECON 6492: Teaching Economics, the newly designed course for first-time student instructors.

 

 

Master of Science in Quantitative Economics (MSQE) at Fall Career Fairs

Professor Harmon and MSQE Students
At the Storrs Career Fair, four of our third-semester MSQE students and two of our first-semester MSQE students visited our table as they made their way through the fair. Pictured below are Prof. Oskar Harmon, MSQE students: Khoa Tran and Colin Pavel.

Professor Oskar Harmon and Graduate Program Assistant Lisa Bono represented the MSQE Program at three UConn Career Fairs this Fall semester – the UConn Storrs All Majors Career Fair, the UConn Storrs Stem Career Fair, and the UConn Stamford Career Fair.

Professor Harmon and MSQE Students
At the Stamford Career Fair, our first-semester Stamford-based MSQE students and several undergraduates visited our table. Pictured below are Joao Benites (MSQE), Prof. Oskar Harmon, Serhiy Kotsopey (MSQE) and Stamford student Eraldo Ndoj.

At the table we distributed brochures describing the program, gave away some of our branded swag, including a raffle for an MSQE custom-made Columbia fleece jacket, and signed students up for our upcoming Info Sessions and Newsletters.

From seniors interested in the MSQE Program and undergraduates interested in the “4+1” accelerated program option, we collected 60+ email addresses from the Storrs and Stamford Fairs. We also networked with many recruiters interested in learning more about the MSQE program and in potentially hiring MSQE graduates.

 

Stamford Student Presents Research at NYSEA

Matthew Dalzell (’25) (left) receives a participation certificate at the NYSEA annual conference on October 21, 2023. NYSEA officials from left to right: Dr. Platt, President, SUNY Old Westbury, Dr. MacDonald, Vice President, CUNY College of Technology, and Dr. Ikwueze, Board of Directors, CUNY Queensborough.
Matthew Dalzell (’25) (left) receives a participation certificate at the NYSEA annual conference on October 21, 2023.
NYSEA officials from left to right: Dr. Platt, President, SUNY Old Westbury, Dr. MacDonald, Vice President, CUNY College of Technology, and Dr. Ikwueze, Board of Directors, CUNY Queensborough.

Matthew Dalzell’s (‘25) research paper “The Impact of Privately Owned Buses on Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Connecticut”, written in the Spring 2023 during the ECON 3431W Public Economics course taught by Professor Smirnova at the Stamford campus, was accepted for presentation at the New York State Economics Association (NYSEA) as part of the undergraduate papers competition.

On October 21, 2023, Matthew Dalzell (‘25) presented his research to a panel of judges among seven undergraduate papers that were selected.

The submitted research papers are judged in two rounds. The first round consists of the assessment of quality of papers by judges, who are professors of economics, finance, and business at various universities-members of NYSEA. From a dozen submitted undergraduate papers, seven were selected for the second round and invited to present at the conference.

The second round, which consists of paper presentation, was held as part of the NYSEA annual conference. This year, the conference was held on the campus of SUNY Old Westbury on Long Island, NY. Seven selected papers were presented at an open forum in front of the panel of judges as well as of other conference attendees (professors, professionals, and graduate students). Within this round, the presentation skills, and the ability to defend one’s research were assessed.

Matthew Dalzell (’25) provided a thorough presentation and answered many questions from judges and audience as he passionately talked about the impact of transportation industry on climate change. He put forward several policy ideas about mitigation of CO2 emissions in Connecticut.

The exposure of undergraduate students to outside audiences as they present their research helps them develop such career competencies as professionalism, communication, and self-development.

Congratulations, Matthew, on the job well done!

PhD Students Studying Migration on the Move

Treena Goswami presented her paper, “Immigrants and Labor Market Decisions of Older Natives“ at the Population Association of America (PAA) Annual Meeting held in April this year in New Orleans. She will start a position at the University of Virginia’s Biocomplexity Institute in the Social and Decision Analytics Division.

In May, Abdulmohsen Almuhaisen presented his paper, “Immigration Enforcement and the Institutionalization of Elderly Americans ,” coauthored with Professor Delia Furtado and Catalina Amuedo-Dorantes from UC-Merced, at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Labor Economists (SOLE) in Philadelphia. He will return to Saudi Arabia to work at the Saudi Central Bank in the late summer.

Both were hooded at this year’s Commencement Ceremonies by advisor, Professor Delia Furtado.

Congratulations and good luck, Treena and Abdulmohsen!

PhD Students Hooded in University’s Commencement Ceremony

On a picture perfect Spring evening, several doctoral students participated in the University’s Commencement exercises. Major advisors hooded their students while friends and family members watched either in person from the Jorgenson or online from thousands of miles away at very inconvenient times given different time zones.

The joyous occasion was at times quite somber given the recent passing of Professor Jorge Agüero. As Professor Agüero’s student, Miranda Mendiola Valdez, crossed the stage, special recognition was given to honor the moment. The entire Jorgensen clapped as Professor Delia Furtado hooded Miranda. Miranda will begin a tenure track position at North Central College in the fall.

2023 Spring Awards Banquet

Uconn sealOn April 13, the department convened for an awards banquet that recognized the best among undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty. This year’s award recipients are:

Undergraduate Awards

Economics Department General Scholarship

Pin Lyu
Justin Wu

Kathryn A. Cassidy Economics Scholarship

Solaiman Chowdhury
Annaliesa Wood

Rockwood Q. P. Chin Scholarship

Lila Pickerign
Stratton Stave
Ruoqi Wang
Qiaozhi Zhou
Ziyun Zhou

Louis D. Traurig Scholarship

Aidan Adams
Erik Choi
Ian Ferguson
Nadine Fernando
Sophia Lemirei

Paul N. Taylor Memorial Prize

Colman Tokar

Julia & Harold Fenton and Yolanda & Augustine Sineti Scholarship

Annelise Montuori

Charles Triano Scholarship

Summer Beebe
John Doran

Dr. Joseph W. McAnneny Jr. Scholarship

Adem Aksoy
Dylan Champagne
Keven Coşgel
Eleanor Gross
Anthony Ho
Shuhan Jiang
Isabella McClure

Ross Mayer Scholarship

Jackson Bright
Virag Korniss


Graduate Awards

Albert E. Waugh Scholarship

Miranda Mendiola Valdez

W. Harrison Carter Award

Matthew Brown
Victor Volkman

Abraham Ribicoff Graduate Fellowship

Abdulmoshen Almuhaisen

Timothy A. and Beverly C. Holt Economics Fellowship

Satadru Bhattacharyya
Xiaofeng Gong
Phillip Hwang
Shangyue Jiang
Meng Song
Feifan Wang
Xinrui Wang

Economics Department Research Excellence Award

Anastassiya Karaban

Best Third Year Paper Award

Kunze Li

 

Faculty Awards

Grillo Family Research Award

Daniela Vidart

Grillo Family Teaching Award

Jorge Agüero

Employee Appreciation and Farewell

Rosanne Fitzgerald
Nishith Prakash

Faculty Recognition: National Academy of Sciences

Kathleen Segerson

 

Congratulations to everyone!

 

Women in Economics Symposium

Women in Economics Group Photo at Stamford
Stamford students with Dr. Ritter at the start of the Women in Economics Symposium on February 23, 2023

On February 23, 2023, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis hosted the annual Women in Economics Symposium. This year the theme was “Role Models Matter”. The agenda included notable women-economists, who shared their love of economics, their research, and their wisdom about how to build and navigate a career path in economics.

The symposium was held in a hybrid format, in which the in-person conference in St. Louis was combined with Watch Parties across the country. Professor Natalia Smirnova arranged for the Economics Department to hold two Watch Parties, in Storrs and in Stamford.

In Stamford, the symposium was designated as the Honors Program event, and they provided pizza and other snacks. Honors Program Assistant Director, Ms. Heenehan, helped with all the logistics during the preparation stage. Economics Professor, Dr. Patricia Ritter hosted the event. Nearly 20 students from political science, economics, and business attended the symposium. We thank Political Science Professor, Dr. Ginsberg for promoting the conference in her classes.

In Storrs, the organization of the Watch Party was done by Women and Minorities in Economics Club. This Club’s activities include speaker series and various events focusing on promoting fruitful discussion about women and minorities’ issues among Economics majors.

At the 2023 Women in Economics Symposium, students heard from exciting role models with fascinating careers in economics while also learning some practical tips about job searching, finding a mentor, and more. As we aspire to develop in our students the career readiness competencies, an exposure to national leaders in economics profession allows students to navigate career opportunities, network to build relationships, and clearly and effectively exchange information and perspectives with persons inside and outside of their home campus. These skills are transferable to students’ post-graduation career and will help them showcase their professionalism during job search and interview processes.

 

First Graduate Assistant Orientation in the Department of Economics

The Department of Economics successfully held its first Graduate Assistant (GA) Orientation on January 16, 2023. The GA Orientation was coordinated and led by Professor Tianxu Chen. The event has been designed to support our GAs/TAs and student Instructors by providing them with strategies and tools to successfully start and manage their teaching responsibilities. It also aims to help promote their professional development in teaching.

The orientation invited David Des Armier from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) to share information about how to design a HuskyCT course webpage, as well as to familiarize GAs with University policies and CETL resources. During the orientation, Professor Talia Bar, Professor Tianxu Chen, Professor Mike Shor and Professor David Simon also shared their teaching experience with the GAs, and provided advice on a wide range of topics including lecture preparation, academic integrity, class engagement, and ensuring an accessible environment for students with disabilities.

The GA orientation had a great turnout. Over a dozen of PhD students from different cohorts attended the event, and we expect it to be held regularly in the future.

GA OrientationGA Orientation