Jennifer Elias

"We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”  
T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets. 
 
Teaching has always been my true north. No matter where my career has taken me, I’ve found my way back to the classroom. I started as an assistant teacher in a public elementary school during college. After graduating, I taught in the New York City public school system before taking my first detour: a position at the World Bank. Because I spoke Portuguese, my early work there focused on pollution control legislation in Brazil. Over time, I realized that advancing in this field would require a deeper understanding of economics, so I went to graduate school at the University of Chicago, where I had the privilege of working with Nobel laureate Gary Becker. 
 
After earning my master’s degree, I returned to the World Bank rather than staying in academia. I enjoyed the work immensely but eventually moved into consulting to reduce travel while raising a family. My career in international economic development spanned over 15 years until our family relocated to Southwest Virginia, where I rediscovered my love of teaching at Radford University. 
 
I’ve been teaching in the Economics Department of the Davis College of Business and Economics since 2011, and I truly feel at home. I'm especially proud to be part of a community that values close faculty-student interaction and hands-on learning. Teaching students brings me joy and keeps me intellectually engaged. I teach core courses like Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Macroeconomics, and Global Economics and Business, along with electives such as The History of Innovation and Economic Growth and Fed Watchers: Data, Decisions, and the Economy.  
 
I believe economics is a powerful tool for understanding the world and making thoughtful, ethical decisions. In my teaching, I emphasize the human impact of economic issues and encourage students to think across disciplines. I strive to be a mentor who supports student growth both in and beyond the classroom. I particularly enjoy guiding Radford’s College Fed Challenge team and advising students in independent research. My goal is for students to leave Radford with the confidence to ask thoughtful questions and the skills to seek informed answers. I’m happy to answer questions about Radford University, Davis College, the Economics Department, or career options, so feel free to contact me.