2024 Student & Alumni Networking Event
Come join us for a chance to bring together the Department of Resource Economics community, alumni and students alike. This event is a chance for you to meet alumni working in various industries and at varying levels. Lunch will be served.
Class of 2024 & Awardees
Scholarship Awards
- Christiana Brand, managerial economics, won the Evan's Family Scholarship for Environmental Conservation given out by the Commonwealth Honors College! This scholarship recognizes exemplary work on any aspect of the environment, completed as part of the student’s studies.
In the news
Undergraduate Student Spotlights
Tayo Sojobi
Tayo is currently living at the Washington Center in DC while interning with N Street Village, a nonprofit shelter for unaccompanied women. In this role, Tayo assists the development team with database management, volunteer coordination, and in-kind donation management.
Last summer, Tayo interned with Blueprint Medicines, a biotech company in Cambridge, MA, working on the finance team, gaining experience in accounting, tax, and financial planning and analysis.
As an SBS RISE (Remedying Inequity through Social Engagement) Fellow during junior year, Tayo worked on the lending closet and drop-in event teams, helping provide business clothing for students in need and organizing community events, including a project that culminated in a dinner fostering meaningful conversations.
As a Sadie Scholar, Tayo gained insights into the financial sector through virtual courses, professional development workshops, and mentorship from JPMorgan Chase’s Black Leadership Forum. Attending the Sadie Summit and the Sadie T.M. Alexander Conference in New York City enhanced Tayo's professional network and prepared her for future opportunities with JPMC’s internship programs.
Looking ahead, Tayo aims to work in economic policy, with a focus on addressing inequities faced by women of color, particularly in promoting economic justice and opportunity for this community.
Jonathan Forbes
Jonathan Forbes (’27) is an Environmental and Natural Resource Economics major, a Commonwealth Honors College student, and a dedicated sustainability advocate with diverse experience in environmental and community outreach roles. Currently a UMass Dining Sustainability Intern, Jonathan designs promotional content and advises on food waste reduction initiatives. He has coordinated meal distribution as a Summer Eats Site Coordinator for the YMCA in Boston, ensuring compliance and managing paperwork for over 37,000 meals. As a Zero Waste Intern for the Town of Arlington, he developed data systems and led community events. With a background in farming, outreach, and peer leadership, Jonathan intends to pursue opportunities that apply quantitative thinking to issues of food justice and sustainability.
Sophia Gervasi
Sophia has distinguished herself as a student ambassador for the Women of Isenberg, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to supporting fellow women in business. She plays a pivotal role on the finance team for the UMass Dance Marathon, one of the university’s largest charitable events that raises money for Bay State Children’s Hospital. As Vice President of Philanthropy for her sorority chapter, Sophia showcases her dedication to service and giving back to the community. She has previous worked with CESL on the Boltwood Project, a program designed to provide enrichment, recreation, and socialization for adults and children of intellectual or physical diverse ability. Her professional experience includes an internship as a Sourcing Analyst at Topco (2024), and she will intern with Deloitte in their Risk and Financial Advisory division in Boston (2025). A member of the honors college, Sophia has also broadened her academic horizons through studying at Oxford, and she will continue her global education with an upcoming study abroad experience in Florence.
Women in Economics hosted a Spring workshop titled “Introduction to Personal and Professional Networking."
Women in Economics is a joint effort between the Resource Economics Department and the Economics Department to empower women+ in the field through scholarship, networking, and opportunity. To promote this mission, in the Spring we hosted a robust workshop titled “Introduction to Personal and Professional Networking.” Professor Ofer Sharone, UMass Sociology Professor, brought his expertise on this topic, exposing our students to important concepts in negotiating. Professor Sharone was engaging and interactive, and there were many great takeaways – how to anchor a negotiation, how to avoid being anchored, how to strategize around deflecting being the first to throw out a number when negotiating a salary, and more. This was a highly interactive workshop, where participants practiced negotiations, and experienced firsthand what the results were if they only had their own limits in mind, instead of trying to put themselves in the mindset of the person they’re negotiating with, considering the other person’s reservation point instead of just their own. Sharone highlighted that there are some ways in which both parties can win, emphasizing the importance of open communication, so people don’t lose sight of their own priorities in the negotiation process. Students participated actively and thoughtfully, and walked away with clear tools to use in their own personal and professional negotiations.