New Economics Chair Returns to N.C. A&T After U.S. Joint Economic Committee Appointment

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Sept. 20, 2024) — The new interim chair of the Department of Economics in the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics has returned to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University after spending a year with the U.S. Congressional Joint Economic Committee (JEC). 

Alfredo Romero, Ph.D., was selected to serve on the committee as the senior economist. In this capacity, he proposed systematic methods to analyze economic problems and develop answers for policy positions. 

“Once you find a way to make economics have an impact on society, then you have a renewed interest in learning more about it and figuring out ways to use that to help other people,” said Romero. 

The JEC was created under the Employment Act of 1946 to study matters relating to the U.S. economy including reviewing economic conditions and recommending improvements in economic policy. 

Romero planned to serve on the JEC until the end of this year, but he shortened his term to become economics interim department chair. He succeeds Scott Simkins, Ph.D., an associate professor of economics, who stepped down to dedicate more time to teaching. 

“Serving as chair of the Department of Economics has been one of my aspirations in life and in my professional career,” he said. “Having the opportunity to inspire and lead colleagues and students was always on my bucket list of accomplishments as an economist.” 

Romero also said he looks forward to sharing his JEC experiences with his students and colleagues in the department. He hopes to introduce them to current trends and practices in modern economics along with continuing his research in foreign direct investment, culture and economic development, social mobility and applied econometrics. 

Romero and Cephas Naanwaab, Ph.D., continue to conduct economic impact analyses of the university. Romero said these analyses are a source of pride for the duo and university and allow the university’s economic footprint to be shared across the country. 

As new department chair, Romero is focused on increasing enrollment and combating the demographic cliff as it relates to lower enrollment rates in higher education. The demographic cliff is a phenomenon that occurs when fertility rates drop, resulting in decreased enrollment. 

“We will have to make sure that enrollment in our institution doesn’t suffer, and we might actually try to increase enrollment under those conditions,” he said. “One of my goals as chair is to do a review of how we’re faring in terms of enrollment over the last two or three or four years and see whether we can predict what should happen to us based on what’s happening to the universities and try to adjust accordingly.”