Written by Donna Gilleskie | July 29, 2024
Several undergraduate and graduate alumni of the Economics Department at UNC-Chapel Hill make up the Economics Department Advisory Board (EDAB). These Board members serve the Department of Economics through their counsel, advocacy, and philanthropy. While grateful for the enthusiastic and faithful commitment of our alumni members, the department invited current ECON majors to serve alongside the alumni in Fall 2023. Current undergraduate students aid the Board’s mission to advise the department administration by learning more about the teaching, research, and service in Economics at Carolina. The student advisors act as a liaison between students and the department. They are also responsible for providing feedback on activities and resources to ensure students are best prepared for “the real world.”
The four inaugural Student Advisory members, appointed in April 2023, were Nadine Boussif (BA), John Hankinson (BS ‘2024), Irvin Carreon (BS) and Alanna Paschall (BS). John graduated in May 2024 (Congrats!), and three additional student members have been appointed. The new (appointed in May 2024) student advisors joining Nadine (senior), Irvin (senior), and Alanna (senior) are: Andrew Brosnan (junior), Haile Madden (junior), and Katherine Pollock (sophomore).
Andrew, a junior transfer from Wake Tech, shared “While I may be just beginning my journey at UNC, I am passionate about economics and believe that I can be an asset to (the) team. As a transfer student, I believe that I have a unique insight into the difficulties that students face when transferring to a new institution. I also have experience in student leadership as a member of both the Student Government Association and Collaborative Council at Wake Tech. In both of these positions, I have worked with students, faculty, and staff members to find ways to improve various aspects of the college.”
With enthusiasm, Haile states, “I will put my best foot forward when it comes to figuring out ways to advance the major and finding more resources that students, like myself, can easily access to receive more guidance on life after college with this degree, internships, clubs, etc. As one of the few female African-American Economics majors that attend both Carolina Economics Club meetings and Women in Economics meetings, I would love to see more black and brown faces involved in economics here at UNC.”
Katherine joins us as a sophomore and says she has developed a “passion for economics” thanks to several of her instructors so far. “I have been consistently impressed by the quality of education and the opportunities for intellectual growth offered by the Economics Department at UNC, and I want to be able to contribute to the department in more meaningful ways. I am committed to representing the interests and perspective of my fellow students while also contributing innovative ideas and solutions to the department’s strategic goals.”
All economics students are invited to share their constructive ideas with these department student liaisons. Don’t be shy about telling them what is working well and what may need improvement.