Welcome to the Department of Economics at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Located in the Carlos Alvarez College of Business, we are a member of the American Society of Hispanic Economists. Striving for excellent teaching and scholarly research accomplishment, our full-time faculty members are well respected in their various research fields.

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Department Office
Main Campus,  Business Building (BB), 4.01.10
Monday thru Friday | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
210-458-4315

Samson Alva Headshot

Contact

Samson Alva, Ph.D.

Department Chair in Economics, Associate Professor

Economics

samson.alva@utsa.edu

Department Profile

175

Majors

3

Degree Programs

36%

First Gen

Female professor teaching a class with a supply and demand chart in the background

MS in Economics Program

Learn state-of-the-art quantitative methods, gain relevant experience with applied analytical tools and graduate with a competitive edge. Earn your STEM-designated master’s in economics from the top-ranked business school in San Antonio.

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Economics Brown Bag Research Workshops

Attend an upcoming brown bag research workshop to support faculty and doctoral students as they present early-stage research projects to collect feedback.

Economics Faculty

Samson Alva Headshot

Samson Alva, Ph.D.

Department Chair in Economics, Associate Professor, Economics

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Ashley Arriaga

Lecturer, Economics

Alper Arslan Headshot

Alper Arslan, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Economics

Image of David Beheshti

David Beheshti, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Economics

Hamid Beladi Headshot

Hamid Beladi, Ph.D.

Janey S. Briscoe Endowed Chair in Business, Professor, Economics

Marian Mae Cedeno

Marian Mae Cedeno

Lecturer, Economics

Image of Fathali Firoozi

Fathali Firoozi, Ph.D.

Professor, Economics

Shakira Johnson

Shakira Flores

Assistant Professor of Practice, Economics

Edgar Ghossoub

Edgar Ghossoub, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Economics

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Carl Gustafson, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer, Economics

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Liangdong (Holley) Huang, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer, Economics

Don Lien Headshot

Don Lien, Ph.D.

Richard S. Liu Distinguished Chair in Business, Professor, Economics

Jonathan Moreno-Medina

Jon Moreno-Medina, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Economics

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Mohammed Partapurwala

Lecturer, Economics

Keith Phillips Image

Keith Phillips, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Practice, Economics

Viviana Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Viviana Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Economics

Bulent Temel Headshot

Bulent Temel, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Practice, Economics

Rodrigo Velez

Rodrigo Velez, Ph.D.

Professor, Economics

Natassa Zervou

Natassa Zervou, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Economics

Latest Economics News

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December 5, 2024

Jasmin Paquet-Durand Ford’s Journey from Belize to Capitol Hill

Jasmin Paquet-Durand Ford’s life has been shaped by cultures, curiosity and an enduring commitment to leave the world better than she found it.

Viviana Rodriguez, assistant professor of economics

November 26, 2024

Unintended Consequences of Academic Leniency: Viviana Rodriguez

In the evolving landscape of educational policy, unintended consequences often lurk behind well-meaning reforms.

Students studying in an economics class

October 24, 2024

College Receives $2.8 Million Grant to Expand Quantitative Business Programs

The Carlos Alvarez College of Business at UTSA was awarded a $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand the college’s quantitative master’s programs and enhance resources for student success with a focus on creating opportunities for low-income and other underserved student populations.