Professor Beth Wheaton-Paramo will share her insights in DCII’s Big Challenge Series on Understanding Migration

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Please join the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute for the November event of the DCII’s Big Challenge Series on Understanding Migration.

In a “lightning round” format, five SMU professors from different academic disciplines will share their insights into commonly misunderstood aspects of human migration, providing a richer picture of migration patterns, causes, and effects than one might glean from American news headlines. The panel features Law Professor Natalie Nanasi, Political Science Professor James Hollifield, History Professor Bianca Lopez, World Languages and Literatures Professor Hervé Tchumkam, and our Economics Professor Beth Wheaton-Paramo.

Register here for the event.

Mykia Govia selected as the 2025 Gretchen C. Voight New Employee Excellence Award winner!

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Congratulations to Mykia Govia on being selected as the 2025 Gretchen C. Voight New Employee Excellence Award winner!



This prestigious honor, presented annually by the Staff Association, recognizes just one outstanding employee each year who exemplifies excellence, dedication, and impact in their role.

A formal ceremony will take place on October 13th, 10:30 AM, at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. More information is here.

Former SMU PhD student Dipa Sarkar was promoted to full professor at Queensland University of Technology!

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Former SMU PhD student Dipa Sarkar was promoted to Full Professor at Queensland University of Technology in Australia! She was the student of Prof. Daniel Millimet.

Congratulations, Professor Sarkar!

Her university website: https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/dipanwita.sarkar

2025 Texas Economic Theory Camp (Oct 25-26) will take place at SMU Economics Department!

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The 2025 Texas Economic Theory Camp will be held at SMU Department of Economics October 25-26 (Saturday-Sunday), 2025. The camp will begin just after 1 PM on October 25, Saturday, and end on Sunday October 26 (afternoon).

The purpose of the camp is to foster greater interaction among researchers working in (pure or applied) economic theory in Texas, and to provide a forum for scholars to present their current research.

See the conference website for more details: https://s2.smu.edu/sroy/TETC_2025.html 

 

Undergraduate ECO Alum Headed to LSE

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We are excited to share that a recent ECO graduate is headed to The London School of Economics (LSE) for a master’s program. Victoria Romanczyk graduated in May 2024 with B.S. degrees in Economics and Statistical Science and a B.A. in International Studies.  She shared more about the program with us:

“I was recently accepted to my dream master’s program at the London School of Economics and Political Science – MSc International Health Policy (Health Economics). I studied abroad at LSE the summer before my final year at SMU. It was incredibly challenging, and I just knew that this was the environment I wanted to be a part of in the future. Studying economics at SMU prepared me incredibly well to undertake this challenge and I am so grateful for all the professors who helped me get to this point. When I changed majors to study economics, decided I wanted to pursue a Fulbright, and eventually started applying for graduate school, they supported me every step of the way. Since graduating SMU just one year ago, I have already achieved two of my goals: completing a Fulbright and getting into LSE. So, to all who are reading this, there is no limit to what you can do at SMU and beyond!”

Congratulations Victoria!  We can’t wait to see what you accomplish next!

Two economics undergraduate students were selected as 2025 Maguire Public Service Fellows

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Two economics undergraduate students were selected as 2025 Maguire Public Service Fellows: Zahra Chowdhury (Political Science and Economics) and Vidhi Jadeja (Markets and Culture, Economics, Studio Art). 

This summer, Zahra will lead the transformation of Just City’s Court Watch program in Memphis, turning it into a sustainable, committee-driven initiative that strengthens civic engagement and accountability in the courts. In addition to expanding volunteer outreach, she is building partnerships with local faith communities and student groups to broaden the program’s impact. Zahra’s fellowship reflects the ways the political science and economics departments are preparing students to lead with purpose and contribute to the public good. 

Vidhi will serve in South Dallas with The Stewpot, a nonprofit supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. In addition to volunteering with Stewpot programs and outreach, Vidhi will take a leadership role within the organization’s Art, Music + Creative Programs to foster self-expression and build community through the arts.

The Maguire Ethics Center’s Public Service Fellowship—made possible in part by the Irby Family Foundation—empowers SMU students to spend over 200 hours during the summer contributing to public service or ethics research with organizations of their choice. The fellowship provides $2,000 for undergraduates and $2,400 for graduate students to support projects that align with students’ academic and professional goals while promoting ethical leadership and social impact. 

Congratulations, Zahra and Vidhi!