Expanding racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity in Economics

Faculty Associate Jessica Goldberg was recently awarded $450,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to expand the Promoting Achievement and Diversity in Economics (PADE) program, which she has led since its inception in 2016.

The PADE program mentors and trains undergraduate students holding identifies that have been historically underrepresented in economics, including first-generation students, low-income students, and students of color. The newly expanded PADE program will partner with Prince George's Community College to double its enrollment, recruiting 20-24 local students who will be offered admission into UMD's economics PhD program upon completion. The team will also pilot a national predoctoral program where students will take prep classes, receive mentorship, and interact with current graduate students and faculty in economics.

In a recent Maryland Today article Goldberg said, “To make sure that we are asking questions that are relevant to all of the people in this country, we need to make sure that all of the people in this country are represented in the profession.”