Student Experience
Student Experience
Economics is about understanding the choices, challenges, and decisions that shape the world around us. Beyond the classroom, students apply economic ideas to real-world questions through research, internships, student organizations, and opportunities to connect with faculty and professionals. These experiences help you explore your interests, strengthen your ability to analyze complex issues, and discover how economics can inform solutions in areas like business, policy, communities, and society.
Undergraduate Research Internships
Put economic theory into practice through hands-on research experiences with CSU faculty and community partners. The Department of Economics offers paid undergraduate research internships that connect students with faculty mentors and real-world research projects while helping them strengthen data analysis, econometrics, and communication skills.
Selected students work alongside faculty—and, in some cases, external organizations—on research projects that apply economics to current issues and challenges. Internship experiences vary based on the project, giving students the opportunity to explore topics that align with their interests while developing valuable experience for careers, graduate school, and beyond.
Student Organizations & Community
Your economics major is more than a classroom experience—it’s a community of students, faculty, and alumni exploring how economic ideas shape the world. Through student organizations and academic communities, economics students have opportunities to connect with peers, develop leadership experience, explore career pathways, and engage in conversations about the field.
Economics Student Leadership Council (ESLC)
The Economics Student Leadership Council (ESLC) serves as the undergraduate voice within the Department of Economics. Members help shape student experiences by planning events, creating opportunities for connection, and supporting engagement among economics majors and minors. With guidance from a faculty advisor, ESLC members develop leadership skills while building community within the department.
Students interested in joining ESLC should be an economics major or minor, attend monthly meetings, and participate in major council events.
To learn more and get involved, connect on Instagram.
Undergraduate Women in Economics (UWE)
Undergraduate Women in Economics (UWE) creates a welcoming and inclusive community for students interested in expanding opportunities and representation in economics. Members connect with peers and alumni, explore career opportunities, develop leadership skills, and participate in conversations about internships, careers, tutoring, and resources in the field. Students of all genders who support gender inclusion in economics are encouraged to participate.
To get involved, contact faculty advisor Alex Bernasek.
Assocation for Graduate Economists (AGE)
The Association of Graduate Economists (AGE) facilitates a democratic forum for addressing the concerns of graduate students within the department. Their vision is to promote a healthy, supportive environment conducive to addressing and furthering academic, social, and cultural interaction among graduate students and faculty.
To get involved with AGE, contact a member of the Fall 2026 Executive Board:
- Atul Kumar - atul.kumar@colostate.edu
- Kemal Perdana - kemal.perdana@colostate.edu
- Paul Nasca - paul.nasca@colostate.edu
- Erin Walsh - erin.walsh@colostate.edu
Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE) International Economics Honor Society
Recognize your academic achievements and connect with a community of high-performing economics students through Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE), the international honor society for economics. CSU’s chapter welcomes qualified undergraduate and graduate students and provides opportunities for recognition, professional connections, and engagement with others who share a passion for economics.
Undergraduate students are eligible for membership after completing at least 12 credits of core economics coursework with a 3.0 or higher GPA in economics courses. Graduate students must have a 3.5 or higher GPA.
For more information contact cla_economics@mail.colostate.edu
Undergraduate Scholarships & Awards
Scholarships
The Department of Economics recognizes student achievement and supports students’ academic and professional goals through a variety of scholarship opportunities. Made possible through the generosity of alumni, faculty, staff, and community supporters, these scholarships celebrate academic excellence, interdisciplinary thinking, leadership, financial need, and engagement with the field of economics.
Apply for department scholarships through the CSU Scholarship Application, open October 1 through March 1. See a full list of scholarships on the College of Liberal Arts website.
Awards
The Department of Economics celebrates outstanding student achievement through annual awards recognizing academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and exceptional work in the field. Each spring, the Undergraduate Program Committee invites nominations and selects recipients for two undergraduate honors.
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
This award recognizes a senior economics major who has demonstrated academic achievement, engagement with the field, and a strong commitment to their educational and professional goals. Eligible students are invited to submit their resumes and personal statements for consideration.
Outstanding ODE Undergraduate Paper Award
Presented through Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE), this award recognizes exceptional undergraduate research and writing in economics. Each year, ODE honors outstanding term papers that demonstrate thoughtful economic analysis and strong scholarly work. Award recipients receive a monetary prize and recognition for their contributions to the discipline.
VIDA: Learning Community
VIDA is a first‑year Residential Learning Community that helps students build community, explore interests, and connect those interests to academics and careers. Open to Liberal Arts majors and Exploratory Studies students in select tracks, VIDA offers peer support, faculty engagement, and interactive events in Parmelee Hall’s suite-style environment.
Get Involved
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