Three Macalester Students Selected for University of Chicago’s Prestigious Economics Program

The University of Chicago’s Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) has selected the 2024 cohort for the Expanding Diversity in Economics (EDE) program. Three Macalester students, among forty-two other participants, will travel to UChicago and Washington, DC, in June to engage in skill-building coursework, networking, and broaden their understanding of economics: Ana Alvarez ʼ26 (Waukegan, IL), Danielle Nartey ʼ26 (Accra, Ghana), and Hermogenes David Rios Torres ʼ27 (Santa Cruz, Bolivia).

“We are thrilled with this year’s cohort,” says Erik Hurst, director of BFI. “The program keeps growing, and the talent and diversity of this group of students reflects that.”

Nartey says she hopes to deepen her understanding of poverty in lower-middle-income countries such as Ghana, her home country. 

“I am eager to network with the diverse EDE cohort and form long lasting connections,” she says. “I’m also interested in exploring the possible problems economics can help solve.”

Having lived in a variety of countries growing up, Torres is coming into the program with a unique perspective. “I am excited about the opportunity to explore the various paths within economics, particularly in efforts to broaden and make the field more inclusive,” he says. 

After college, Torres aims to research and analyze the economic effects of migration in various countries.

“The emphasis on inclusivity in the program aligns perfectly with my goal of exploring diverse perspectives within economics, so I believe I’ll develop a solid foundation to pursue my research interests and contribute to the understanding of migration economics,” he says. 

Nartey wants to pursue a career in finance, and is looking forward to exploring what work in the field will look like through the program.

“We’ll be taking trips to financial institutions such as the World Bank and the Federal Reserve, and I hope to take advantage of the various opportunities for mentorship and seek guidance and advice from economic experts in the field,” she says. 

The Expanding Diversity in Economics Summer Institute runs from June 9–29.