by Rod Jones
Oklahoma City University’s Meinders School of Business has opened three new centers dedicated to specific areas of economic research.
The Steven C. Agee Economic Research & Policy Institute now includes the Center for Economic Forecasting and Policy Analysis led by Executive Director Russell Evans, the Center for Native American and Urban Studies led by Kyle Dean and the Center for Data Analytics led by Jacob Dearmon. All three directors are economics professors in the Meinders School of Business.
More information about each program:
The Center for Economic Forecasting and Policy Analysis provides agnostic, data-driven research that supports the decision-making process of the region’s business and policy leaders. Its areas of focus are economic and tax forecasting, policy analysis and regional economic development strategy.
“The growth of the institute is a reflection of the demands of the marketplace and the trust that has developed between our research efforts and local leaders,” Evans said. “We look forward to building on this trust with research efforts dedicated to data analytics and regional economic studies.”
The Center for Native American and Urban Studies provides research to support the growth and understanding of Native American business and industry. The center also works with city and state leaders to develop urban and regional policies that benefit citizens and support growth objectives.
“We are excited to form a center dedicated to the study of Native American and urban economic issues and are eager to build upon the relationships we have formed over the past several years,” Dean said. “Having a dedicated center will allow us to sharpen our focus, applying cutting-edge economic research to assist tribes, cities and broader regions as they strive to meet development goals.”
Center for Data Analytics was established to provide insights through customized analytic solutions that are adapted to each client’s unique needs. Areas of focus include forecasting, spatial modeling, Monte Carlo analysis, optimization and machine learning.
“We look forward to partnering with businesses and providing the deep analytic skills that are required to operate in today’s complex and ever-changing environment,” Dearmon said.
For more information about the economic research institute or its centers, visit okcu.edu/business/centers/erpi, contact Evans at [email protected] or call 405-208-6110.
