Our programs

Networking & Research

VCU Economics Students and Alumni Group: Network with your peers.

Student Managed Investment Portfolio: Gain real-world investment experience through management of an equity portfolio for the School of Business Foundation.

Richmond Association for Business Economics: Join local business leaders for lunch and a speaker. A great networking opportunity!

Student Economics Association: Socialize and network with your peers while gaining valuable insight into future career opportunities.

Experimental Laboratory for Economics and Business Research: Work with faculty to conduct computer-mediated experiments.

VCU Center for Economic Education: Provides K-12 students with the economic knowledge and financial skills needed to thrive in today’s economy.

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond: Learn about local economic conditions and opportunities.

American Economic Association: See what issues economists nationwide are researching.

Economics Seminar Series: Spring 2023

Join us for a wonderful lineup of seminar speakers this semester. The non-asterisk seminars will be online through Zoom. Please contact Ioannis Kospentaris ikospentaris@vcu.edu or Daniel Stephenson stephensod@vcu.edu if you are interested in attending or with any questions.

Student Department Awards

Student of the Year: The Student of the Year Award is presented to a senior or graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in scholarship and leadership.

Distinguished Service Award: The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a student who has provided distinguished service to the department, university and community.

AcademicsEconomicsTabs

Student of the Year: Jointly awarded to the following two equally deserving students - Yvonne Nguyen and Dorian Philpot

Yvonne has an excellent record of scholarship with outstanding grades, including a 4.0 GPA in her economics coursework. Moreover, she has provided valuable service to the Department of Economics as a teaching assistant for Microeconomic Theory. Yvonne plans to begin an internship with MITRE this spring, followed by a summer finance internship with Fannie Mae.

Dorian has demonstrated exceptional scholarship, with an excellent GPA overall, as well as in her extensive economics coursework. In 2021, she was selected for the Timothy R. Sizemore Endowed Scholarship in Economics, as well as an externship with the Economic Policy Institute. Dorian has also served as a teaching assistant for Principles of Microeconomics. She plans to pursue graduate school in public policy in preparation for a career in social and financial policy.


Distinguished Service Award: Kai Amado

Kai demonstrates excellence in the classroom and beyond. She has provided valuable service to the Department of Economics as a teaching assistant in Principles of Microeconomics, a grader for Managerial Economics, and a volunteer at VCU School of Business open houses. Kai has served the university as Vice President of HR and Recruitment and Sector Lead for VCU's Student Managed Investment Portfolio. She plans to continue those positions, in addition to being elected as President of the Student Economics Association for the upcoming academic year. Kai plans to pursue graduate school in Economics and a career within public policy and government.

Student of the Year: Niranjana Harikrishnan

A double major in Economics and Political Science, Niranjana has demonstrated excellence in the classroom and beyond.  She combines an outstanding GPA with extraordinary service to VCU and the community. Niranjana was a member of the VCU Fed Challenge Team, is President of Heroes at VCU and UNICEF at VCU, and senior advisor for the H&S Leadership Council. She has served the community as an intern for US Senator Tim Kaine and the Virginia Council on Women and Virginia Asian Advisory Board through the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and won the Department of Economics H&S Distinguished Service Award in 2020.

Distinguished Service Award: Michael Portillo

Michael has a strong academic record and an exemplary history of service to the VCU and Richmond communities. He has served the Department of Economics as a teaching assistant and research assistant. Michael has also served as VP of the VCU Student Economics Association and helped re-charter the VCU chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon national economics honors society. He has served the community with the Ampersand Pantry Project, providing necessities to the Richmond communities heavily impacted by the pandemic. Additionally, he has volunteered with undocumented students in Richmond’s ESL classrooms. After graduation, Michael will begin his career with the US State Department.

Student of the Year: Jonathan C. Campbell

Jonathan is an outstanding student with a 4.0 GPA. His active engagement in the classroom demonstrates a keen interest and understanding of Economics and improves the learning environment for fellow students as well as instructors. Moreover, he has provided excellent service to the Department of Economics at VCU as a teaching assistant for Macroeconomic Theory, including tutoring fellow students outside the classroom.