Majors 2021
 Meghan Collins (’21) is majoring in Economics with minors in Statistics and Spanish. She became interested in Economics after taking ECN 150 and wanted to further understand what motivates market decisions at both the individual and societal levels. After taking Econometrics, she realized her passion for analyzing the relationships between statistical data and Economic trends. She became involved with the Economics department both as a teaching assistant and as a research assistant and enjoys collaborating with both students and faculty through a shared love of Economics. Outside of her work with the department, she was treasurer of the Women in Economics club, an ambassador in admissions, a student advisor, and a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She will be studying abroad in Salamanca, Spain during the fall of 2019. |
 Olivia Nandkeolyar (’21) is a double major in Economics and Politics & International Affairs with a minor in Dance. She became interested in perusing economics after taking Professor Celik’s Introduction to Economics course during her freshman year. Drawn to the way economics explains the principles of human interactions and its applications to the world as a whole, she has cemented her interests through courses like Dr. Chen’s Game Theory class, Dr. Dalton’s class on International Trade, and Dr. Griffith’s Econometrics course. Additionally, during her time at Wake, she studied in both Venice and Copenhagen, exploring economics in a global context. Outside of the classroom, Olivia serves as treasurer of Women in Economics and is an active member of the Wake Forest Dance Company as well as an instructor for the Community Ballet program. |
 Brennan Saul (’21) is an Economics major with minors in Film Studies and Global Trade and Commerce. After spending his freshman year in Copenhagen, Denmark, as a student in the inaugural Global AWAKEnings program, his fascination with development finance and desire to understand how the world works led him to declare a major in Economics. Taking courses with Dr. Whaples, Dr. McFall, Dr. Strumpf, and Dr. Chen taught him to think critically about global issues and how people and businesses make choices. As a 2019 Richter Scholar, Brennan was able to apply concepts learned inside of the classroom to independent research in Denmark and Chicago, looking at how characteristics of the welfare state affect job satisfaction and career development in the restaurant industry. On campus, he is the co-host of a sports talk show called Next Goal Wins, a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, and a Career Assistant in the OPCD. |
 Jeremy Stone (‘21) is majoring in Economics with a minor in Political Science. After taking ECN 205 he decided to switch his Economics minor to a major, stemming from a fascination with microeconomic principles. Inspired by a desire to more deeply understand the decision making process at the individual level, Jeremy enrolled in courses like Game Theory, Public Choice and Public Finance and also took Economics courses while studying abroad in Barcelona in the Fall of 2019. His Public Choice and Public Finance courses with Dr. Heckelman and Dr. Strumpf respectively have increased his interest in pursuing both postgraduate education as well as his passion for data analytics. Outside of the classroom, Jeremy was the president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and is a member of the Club Basketball team. |
Majors 2022
 Jadyn Ives (‘22) is a double major in Economics and Mathematics with a minor in Statistics. She was drawn to the subject after taking ECN 150 and seeing how many different ways economics interacts with the world. Jadyn loves thinking about these various interactions, especially in the field of environmental economics, which was inspired after taking ECN 241 with Professor Curtis. For the past year, she’s been excited to work with Professor Ryngaert and Professor Lakdawala as a research assistant and work to connect data analysis with economic theory. Outside of the department, she serves as the President of A.S.I.A., Editor in Chief of The Howler Yearbook, and Director of Trivia for Student Union. In the future, Jadyn plans to go to graduate school in order to pursue a higher degree in economics. |
 Bobby Farnham (’22) is a double major in Economics and History. His interest in economics began with Dr. Graczyk’s ECN 150, which he took his Freshman year. This class kindled his love for Economics, and he became interested in learning about the intersection of economics and policy decisions and their practical impacts on the global economy. Bobby found a passion for monetary policy by taking Dr. Cottrell’s Macroeconomics and Dr. Lakdawala’s Monetary Theory courses. These courses taught him how to conceptualize and think critically about monetary theory and policymaking decisions. Outside of the classroom, he has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Federal Reserve Challenge Team, and encourages any students interested in monetary policy to apply to the team. Outside of the Department, Bobby is involved with Sigma Pi Fraternity and served on the Executive Board for the 2019-2020 school year. |
 Micayla Jordan (’22) is a double major in Economics and Sociology with a minor in German. She has a passion for exploring how Economics can be used alongside Sociology to address social disparities across America with a focus on healthcare and education disparities across the South. As a Wake Forest Research Fellow, Micayla conducted research that explored the economic impact of public higher education on local economies across the South to uncover if investing in higher education can be used as a viable path to increase the overall economic attractiveness of a city. She has also studied abroad in Jena, Germany as a part of Wake Forest’s language immersion program. As a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, Micayla serves as the organization’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion and is responsible for assessing new member recruitment processes with the goal to increase diversity amongst the brotherhood. Her favorite quote is, “I am deliberate and afraid of nothing” by Audre Lorde which she feels explains the various aspects of her life as an Black female in the fields of Economics and Sociology. This summer, Micayla will intern with Capital One in their Finance Rotational Program. |
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 Ben Raiford (’22) is a double major in Economics and Mathematics. He was drawn to economics by a desire to understand the impact of public policy on people, and he has enjoyed challenging the assumptions behind the competitive markets studied in ECN 150. He has particularly appreciated the opportunity to think critically about current policy debates in class with Dr. John Dalton, Dr. Amanda Griffith, and Dr. Aeimit Lakdawala. Ben has also had deeply rewarding experiences serving as a research assistant to Dr. Koleman Strumpf and helping to lead the Federal Reserve Challenge Team. Outside of the department, Ben works to engage student voters with both You Can Vote and Deacs Decide and serves on the Honor and Ethics Council. He is working with TD Securities next summer and plans to pursue a PhD in Economics after college. |
Grace Lyons (’22) is a major in Economics with a minor in Health Policy and Administration. She decided to major in Economics after truly enjoying Dr. Regan’s Introduction to Economics course during her freshman year. Grace loves thinking about the application of economic principles to key issues in society, especially those related to health. She is also particularly drawn to microeconomics and to research that helps maximize the wellbeing of individuals and marginalized groups. Dr. Triyana’s courses in Microeconomics and Global Health, Dr. Griffith’s Econometrics class, and Dr. Dalton’s Health Economics course have served as an inspiration to her. She has enjoyed working with faculty and students as a teaching assistant and research assistant in the Department. Next summer, she will be interning at The Hartford, working on her data analysis skills. Outside of her work with the Department, Grace is Co-Captain of the equestrian team, a member of Women in Economics, a tour guide for Admissions, and a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Majors 2023