Samantha B. Bonar

Laura Bowen '11, a diplomacy and world affairs major at Occidental College, was recently selected as one of 12 finalists in Pearson's Insider contest, and, as such, will be attending the exclusive National Economics Insider Symposium (NEIS) this June in Washington, D.C.

 

The Insider contest, which was open to college students enrolled in an economics course this spring semester, asked for policy proposals on how to change the U.S. economy for the better. The 12 finalists were chosen on April 15 based on the strength, feasibility and creativity of their ideas, and overall clarity of their policy proposal.

Along with their nominating instructors, the finalists will be guests of Pearson at the National Economics Insider Symposium (NEIS) from June 10-11. In addition to competing for the contest-winning title Future Economics Insider, these students will also have the rare opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with some of Pearson's renowned economics authors during the event.

Bowen, from Kenilworth, Ill., will present work she has done with assistant professor of economics Jerry McIntyre on inequality, the current economic crisis, and future financial policy to a panel of economic "insiders" that includes Ben Bernanke, chair of the Federal Reserve; Paul Krugman, of Princeton University, recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics; Olivier Blanchard, chief economist of the International Monetary Fund; Frederic Mishkin of Columbia University, who has served on the board of governors of the Federal Reserve; Glenn Hubbard, dean of the Columbia University Graduate School of Business and former chair of the President's Council of Economic Advisors; Daron Acemoglu of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a John Bates Clark winner; and John List of the University of Chicago.

Pearson, a global leader in education, technology, and services, is a partner in education with many of the world's leading economic authorities.