Congratulations, Graduates! School of Economics Spring 2021 Spotlight

Posted May 4, 2021

The School of Economics’ class of 2021 inspired us not only with their hard work, passion, and creativity, but with their unyielding positivity throughout a very tough year.  

In an address to campus in March 2020, President Ángel Cabrera said that amid all of the uncertainty and difficult choices, “I have a great sense of optimism about the future.” We feel the same way as we watch our graduates package their lessons and friendships from their time on campus into the toolkits they’ll use to change the world. We’re going to miss our students roaming the halls here in the Old CE Building but feel a great sense of pride and optimism as they move on to new endeavors.  

Meet some of this year’s phenomenal class of 2021!  

 

Aiyanna Lowrey 

B.S. in Economics and International Affairs with a minor in International Business, Language, and Culture.  

What is your proudest achievement from your time at Georgia Tech? 

My proudest achievement is the work that I've done with the college throughout my time here. I am currently the president of the Student Advisory Board, and in this position, I've been able to help create change in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. I'm also very proud of my role as a Student Ambassador, helping with Shadow Day and my role as a GT1000 team leader, helping incoming students get acclimated to GT! 

What was your most exciting or unique experience at Georgia Tech? 

My most exciting experience would be going abroad for a semester! It was something completely new for me and really helped to build my confidence and my character! 

Who or what inspired you the most during your time here? 

During my time at Georgia Tech, I got to experience the leadership of two amazing African American women! Dr. Jaqueline Royster, the former dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and current Dean Kaye Husbands Fealing have both been amazing role models. They've shown me what being a leader could look like, and both of them have acted with grace and integrity that I think is admirable! 

What was the biggest challenge you faced at Georgia Tech, and how did you overcome it? 

The biggest challenge I've faced during my time at Georgia Tech would have to be overcoming the feeling that I didn't deserve to be in positions of leadership. Self-doubt was something that I really struggled with, and it prevented me from pursuing different roles and positions. What helps me to overcome that self-doubt is when I affirm myself using logic. I know that I've contributed greatly to spaces that I've been in, and so when I begin to doubt myself, I remind myself of the amazing things that I've helped to accomplish. 

Congratulations, Aiyanna!  

 

Maxwell Goldstein 

M.S. in Economics  

The most exciting experience for me while at GT was our ACC Championship run with the men’s basketball team. In my two years as a graduate assistant, the program has taken great strides. It was very challenging to balance economics and basketball, but I had great success in both areas these past two years. I am extremely proud to receive my master’s and become an ACC Champion. 

After graduation, I am looking to work in an NBA Front Office. I am currently in the application process with NBA and G-League teams to get my foot in the door.  

Congratulations, Max! 

 

Sarah Tinsley 

B.S. in Economics with a minor in Spanish 

I am so grateful for the amazing community I have found at Tech!  

Countless fellow students, professors, and other mentors have poured into me academically, professionally, personally, and spiritually. Every experience has taught and grown me so much –– studying abroad, doing research, interning, co-oping, meeting people from diverse countries and backgrounds, serving on leadership at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, etc.  

While this chapter comes to a close, I am thrilled to take this next step along this journey of life! A huge thank you to the School of Economics for investing in me and supporting me along the way –– and a special thanks to all the professors who answered my many questions in office hours and met with me to share career advice! 

After graduation, I will be going full-time with my co-op employer, Southern Company, here in Atlanta. I will be working as a costing analyst on the Costing & Demand-Side Support Team. 

Congratulations, Sarah! 

 

Whitney Miller

B.S. in Economics 

What was your most exciting or unique experience at Georgia Tech?

My most exciting experience was studying abroad at Georgia Tech Lorraine in Summer 2019. It was incredible having the opportunity to travel to so many countries and immerse myself in a new culture.

Who or what inspired you the most during your time here?

I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of the women that have inspired me and motivated me to be the person I am today. Dr. Buser, Dr. Nair-Reichert, Dr. Dhongde, Dean Ray, Dean Jennings, and SO MANY OTHERS have been the blueprint for me to grow into the person I want to be.

Who or what surprised you the most during your time here?

Economics! I didn’t come into Tech as an Econ major, but after a few classes, I realized that this is what I am meant to do.

What was the biggest challenge you faced at Georgia Tech, and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge was figuring out what I wanted to do. I came into Tech with a “plan,” but the Institute had different plans for me. I resisted the changes at first, but I realized that I don’t have to live life based on a set schedule, and I should do what makes me happiest.

What is your proudest achievement from your time at Georgia Tech?

My proudest achievement is that I found out what I love, and I pursued those things. I am so happy to say that I can look back on my time in college and say that I joined the clubs I wanted to join and did the things I wanted to do.

After graduation, Whitney plans to work in data analytics in Atlanta.

Congratulations, Whitney!

 

Where else are our graduates going? 

Grace Devine, B.S. in Economics, will work as a financial analyst at Amazon. 

Eric Dobbie, B.S. in Economics, will pursue a Ph.D. in political science at Emory University. 

Olivia Fulmore, B.S. in Global Economics and Modern Languages (Spanish concentration) with a minor in Social Justice, will be a commercial portfolio management analyst at Regions Bank. 

Niall Gamble, B.S. in Economics with a minor in Global Development, will continue with a Master in Economics at Georgia Tech. 

David Gibbs, M.S. in Economics and B.S. in Business Administration-Finance, will be an investment banking analyst at Citizens M&A Advisory.   

Denis Goldman, B.S. in Economics and B.S. Industrial and Systems Engineering, was accepted into the Master in Financial Engineering program at Columbia University. 

Cade Lawson, B.S. in Economics, will continue with a Master in Data Analytics at Georgia Tech. 

Hana Omar, B.S. in Economics and International Affairs and B.S. in Business Administration, plans to attend law school after graduation. 

Gina Piazza, B.S. in Economics and B.S. in Applied Languages and Intercultural Studies (Spanish concentration) with a minor in Computational Data Analysis, will enter the New Grad Finance Trainee program at Univision Communications. 

Erin Shinners, B.S. in Economics and International Affairs with a minor from the Denning Technology and Management program, will work as an analyst for the Government and Public Services (GPS) practice at Deloitte. 

Max Whittling, B.S. in Economics with a minor in Sustainable Cities, will be a consultant at Capgemini. 

Charis Wracher, B.S. in Economics, will continue with a Master in Quantitative and Computational Finance at Georgia Tech.  

Tongyang Yang, Ph.D. in Economics, accepted a position as a tenure-track assistant professor at Widener University’s School of Business Administration.  

Jing Xu, Ph.D. in Economics, accepted a position as a tenure-track assistant professor position in the Business School at Zhejiang Gongshang University in Hangzhou, China. 

The School of Economics is proud to award degrees to 43 graduates during the Spring 2021 commencement ceremony. Join us virtually for the Ph.D. and Master’s ceremonies on Friday, May 7th, and the Bachelor's ceremony on Saturday, May 8th.