On April 9, a group of senior economics students participated in the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Virginia Association of Economists at the James Madison University College of Business in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Sponsored by the Department of Economics and Business and led by Associate Professor of Economics Pablo Hernandez, the day trip provided students with an opportunity to deliver poster presentations, engage with a broader academic community, and participate in the professional norms of scholarly exchange.
Aaditi Adhikari ’26, Amber Bolden ’26, Samragyi Karki ’26, Azjargal Khurelchuluun ’26, Kayla Rabinovitz ’26, and Madison Yount ’26 presented research they developed as part of their senior economics capstone experience, reflecting a diverse range of topics within economics.
Their work demonstrated not only subject-matter competence but also the ability to formulate research questions and accompanying hypotheses, apply appropriate methods, and communicate findings effectively to an academic audience.
Presenting in a formal conference setting required the students to adapt their writing into concise poster presentations and respond to questions from faculty and peers — an exercise that strengthened both their analytical and communication skills.
The conference environment also exposed students to current research trends and methodological approaches in the field. Listening to other faculty and peers allowed them to situate their own work within ongoing scholarly conversations.
The integration of undergraduate research into experiential learning remains a central objective in contemporary economics education. From a pedagogical perspective, the experience underscored the value of extending learning beyond the classroom. Participation in a regional academic conference fostered student confidence and reinforced the relevance of their research efforts.
