Economics and Finance

"Our team from the TVA Investment Challenge class participated in the TVA Investment Challenge Annual Conference in Nashville in April, where they delivered a compelling presentation, engaged with teams from 25 other universities, and networked with investment professionals from leading firms. Our portfolio outperformed the S&P 500's total return for 2023. The conference offered our students an unparalleled opportunity for learning and professional growth."

—Kevin Zhao

SPRING 2024 STUDENT TRAVEL

Risk Takers Symposium • Chicago

Financial Management Association • New York

GIS Regional Conference Series • Atlanta

Philip Seagraves, an associate professor of Finance, shared insights on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models into undergraduate teaching, highlighting their potential to enhance student learning outcomes significantly at the American Real Estate Society conference. Seagraves also led a successful executive education program focused on the mortgage business, designed to equip students with the essential skills needed to enter or advance within this sector.

Sara Shirley, a Finance associate professor, made substantial contributions to the field of finance and financial data science, including co-authoring three papers published in prominent, peer-reviewed journals. Her research was presented at regional, national, and international conferences. Locally, Shirley led a nonprofit workshop in the Patterson Park Community Center, with more than 70 individuals from various Tennessee nonprofits and other organizations in attendance. She was also recently named an associate editor for the Journal of Financial Research.

Michael "Bootcamp" Thomas

U.S. Army veteran and author Michael “Bootcamp” Thomas delivered the Financial Literacy Month keynote address, discussing the benefits of early investing.

The department hosted 14 financial literacy events throughout the month and awarded $10,000 in student awards sponsored by Ascend Federal Credit Union.

PLACEMENTS

Internships

Auto-Owners

Cardinal Health

Chubb

Deloitte

Franke

Goldman Sachs

Nissan

State Farm

Tennessee Comptroller of Treasury

Tennessee Valley Homes

U.S. Department of Treasury

Washington Wizards

Wilson Bank

Private sector and government

Ascend Federal Credit Union

Citigroup

City of Norfolk, Virginia

CVS

Deloitte

HCA Healthcare

MAPCO Express

Sallie Mae

State of Tennessee

UBS

Vanderbilt University

Medical Center

Postdoc

Ohio State University

Tenure-track faculty

Emerson College

Lincoln Memorial University

Linfield University

Northwood University

The department hosted 14 financial literacy events throughout the month and awarded $10,000 in student awards sponsored by Ascend Federal Credit Union.PLACEMENTSInternshipsAuto-OwnersCardinal HealthChubbDeloitteFrankeGoldman SachsNissanState FarmTennessee Comptroller of TreasuryTennessee Valley HomesU.S. Department of TreasuryWashington WizardsWilson BankPrivate sector and governmentAscend Federal Credit UnionCitigroupCity of Norfolk, VirginiaCVSDeloitteHCA HealthcareMAPCO ExpressSallie MaeState of TennesseeUBSVanderbilt UniversityMedical CenterPostdocOhio State UniversityTenure-track facultyEmerson CollegeLincoln Memorial UniversityLinfield UniversityNorthwood University