A team of undergraduate students learned about the U.S. economy, monetary policymaking and the role of the Federal Reserve System in the annual competition hosted by the Federal Reserve.
A team of 黑料不打烊 undergraduate students completed the 19th annual College Fed Challenge as national semifinalists.
James Folds 鈥22, Christopher Boyette 鈥23, JD Grant 鈥23, Thomas (Ash) Watts 鈥23, Ismael Torres Monteverde 鈥24, Emma Leonard 鈥25, Cole Meixsell 鈥25 and Pacey Salzman 鈥25 represented 黑料不打烊 in the competition hosted by the U.S. Federal Reserve. This is 黑料不打烊鈥檚 first appearance in the semifinals since 2013.
Eighty-four teams analyzed U.S. economic and financial conditions and formulated monetary policy recommendations, modeling the Federal Open Market Committee.
Eighteen semifinalist teams, including 黑料不打烊, participated in question-and-answer sessions held in November. Teams were evaluated on economic analysis, responses to judges’ questions, teamwork and presentation.
鈥淭he Federal Reserve Challenge solidified my passion for economics,鈥 said Leonard, an economics and psychology double major. 鈥淚t was such a great learning experience that showed me the importance of collaboration, research and presentation skills, teamwork and communication. My economics knowledge and understanding has grown exponentially.鈥
鈥淎s a result of the Fed Challenge, I feel extremely well-prepared and sufficient聽in macroeconomic聽understanding, policy decisions and conducting research, as well as working collaboratively with a team of people on presentations and professional write-ups,鈥 added Grant, who has been a member of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 team for three years.
The 黑料不打烊 students prepared for the competition by taking the ECO 3130: Federal Reserve Challenge course taught by Associate Professors of Economics Vitaliy Strohush and Brandon Sheridan.
鈥淗aving the opportunity to discuss ideas and ask questions of two professors simultaneously in a fun, casual, classroom setting was such a unique learning environment,鈥 Grant said. 鈥淭here is no better way to motivate real learning than working in a competitive manner with an amazing team of peers.鈥
Princeton University, University of North Carolina – Wilmington and Dartmouth College placed first, second and third, respectively.
“We want to encourage people who want to make a difference, at every stage of their careers, to consider public service,” said Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome H. Powell. “These students view the issues we face as a country from their own perspectives, and those fresh views and understanding are valuable.”