2024 Student & Alumni Networking Event
Come join us for a chance to bring together the Department of Resource Economics community, alumni and students alike. This event is a chance for you to meet alumni working in various industries and at varying levels. Lunch will be served.
Date of Event: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Time: 12:30 - 3:30pm
UMass Amherst Campus Center, Amherst Room (10th Fl)
1 Campus Center Way,
Amherst, MA 01002
Undergraduate Student Spotlight
Sophia has distinguished herself as a student ambassador for the Women of Isenberg, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to supporting fellow women in business. She plays a pivotal role on the finance team for the UMass Dance Marathon, one of the university’s largest charitable events that raises money for Bay State Children’s Hospital. As Vice President of Philanthropy for her sorority chapter, Sophia showcases her dedication to service and giving back to the community. She has previous worked with CESL on the Boltwood Project, a program designed to provide enrichment, recreation, and socialization for adults and children of intellectual or physical diverse ability. Her professional experience includes an internship as a Sourcing Analyst at Topco (2024), and she will intern with Deloitte in their Risk and Financial Advisory division in Boston (2025). A member of the honors college, Sophia has also broadened her academic horizons through studying at Oxford, and she will continue her global education with an upcoming study abroad experience in Florence.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight
Tayo is currently living at the Washington Center in DC while interning with N Street Village, a nonprofit shelter for unaccompanied women. In this role, Tayo assists the development team with database management, volunteer coordination, and in-kind donation management.
Last summer, Tayo interned with Blueprint Medicines, a biotech company in Cambridge, MA, working on the finance team, gaining experience in accounting, tax, and financial planning and analysis.
As an SBS RISE (Remedying Inequity through Social Engagement) Fellow during junior year, Tayo worked on the lending closet and drop-in event teams, helping provide business clothing for students in need and organizing community events, including a project that culminated in a dinner fostering meaningful conversations.
As a Sadie Scholar, Tayo gained insights into the financial sector through virtual courses, professional development workshops, and mentorship from JPMorgan Chase’s Black Leadership Forum. Attending the Sadie Summit and the Sadie T.M. Alexander Conference in New York City enhanced Tayo's professional network and prepared her for future opportunities with JPMC’s internship programs.
Looking ahead, Tayo aims to work in economic policy, with a focus on addressing inequities faced by women of color, particularly in promoting economic justice and opportunity for this community.
Jonathan Forbes (’27) is an Environmental and Natural Resource Economics major, a Commonwealth Honors College student, and a dedicated sustainability advocate with diverse experience in environmental and community outreach roles. Currently a UMass Dining Sustainability Intern, Jonathan designs promotional content and advises on food waste reduction initiatives. He has coordinated meal distribution as a Summer Eats Site Coordinator for the YMCA in Boston, ensuring compliance and managing paperwork for over 37,000 meals. As a Zero Waste Intern for the Town of Arlington, he developed data systems and led community events. With a background in farming, outreach, and peer leadership, Jonathan intends to pursue opportunities that apply quantitative thinking to issues of food justice and sustainability.
A note from our chair
Welcome to Fall 2024! Last year was one of the most exciting in recent memory at UMass. The biggest development is the renaming of our undergraduate major from Resource Economics to Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, a change we hope will attract more students. While we remain the Department of Resource Economics, we now offer two majors: Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, and Managerial Economics.
We also welcomed Dr. Hernan Bejarano from the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas in Mexico, who brought valuable expertise in field experiments in developing countries, benefiting our graduate students. Additionally, Nancy Robinson (Office Administrator) and Kellie Nicholas (Scheduling Officer) have completed their first year with us, quickly becoming essential to our operations. Ms. Nicholas, having earned her master’s degree in marketing, has been instrumental in enhancing our website and social media presence.
We bid farewell to Dr. M.J. Alhabeeb, who retired, and Dr. Brandyn Churchill, who has accepted a position at American University in Washington, DC.
The Department of Resource Economics continues to thrive, with outstanding students engaged in internships, study abroad, and securing excellent jobs. Our award-winning faculty and staff are conducting impactful, cutting-edge research. We look forward to further growth as we work toward becoming a leading institution for applied economics research in the nation.
Congratulations on your retirement!
Dr. M.J. Alhabeeb has retired from the department this year after thirty-two years of service to UMass, and twenty-three years of service to the Department of Resource Economics! We thank Dr. Alhabeeb for his commitment to students and his contributions to our managerial economics program during his time in the department. Dr. Alhabeeb authored three textbooks on managerial economics. He also supervised a large number of students, particularly Bachelor Degree in Individual Concentration (BDIC) students. Moreover, he managed the Department’s Tax School from 2013-2017. Dr. Alhabeeb’s many contributions to the department have been deeply appreciated and he will be missed! We wish him all the best in his retirement.