MSU Students, Faculty Showcase Economics Research
Students and faculty from the Department of Business Administration at Morehead State University’s Elmer R. Smith College of Business and Technology recently represented MSU at the 48th Annual Kentucky Economic Association Conference, held on Oct. 24, 2025.
Undergraduate students Allyson Weinert (freshman small business management major from Flemingsburg), Amy Roberts (sophomore marketing major from Morehead), Charles Gunn (senior political science major from Louisville), Brodie Tincher (freshman information systems major from Morehead), Sarah Pace (junior marketing major from Mt. Sterling), Jarrett Stephens (sophomore information systems major from Frankfort), and Hannah Sparks (sophomore finance major from Louisa) presented their paper, “Understanding the Economic Concept of Incentives: Will Changes to Federal Loan Policies Push Colleges to Raise Tuition? A Look at Kentucky’s Public Appalachian Colleges.”
The study, co-authored with 30 fellow undergraduate researchers, examines how shifts in federal loan policy could influence tuition pricing strategies among Kentucky’s public universities.
“The conference has opened my mind to newer possibilities in my thinking,” said Sparks. “Along with this research that we did, it allowed me to better understand how much certain changes affect us as college students, and I am interested in continuing my research into more expansive details.”
Stephens also reflected on the experience.
“The time I had at the Kentucky Economic Association Conference held at Western Kentucky University was eventful,” he said. “It was filled with learning experiences, allowing me to further delve into the economic world. Being able to present and converse on a topic that was close to my own personal life opened doors that hadn't been there before.”
Faculty representation was also strong at the conference. Dr. Elaine Agyemang Tontoh, assistant professor of economics, presented her research, “The Triple Day Thesis Versus Neoclassical Models of Labour Supply: Alternative Perspectives and Policies.”
Her study reexamines traditional labor-supply models by arguing that women’s limited time for rest, learning, and self-care should be recognized as a constrained economic resource rather than a personal preference.
Tontoh expressed gratitude to Dr. Steve Chen, professor of sport management, for his mentorship and support, as well as to Angie Ovard, academic department specialist, for her assistance in coordinating travel for the group.
Dr. Janet Ratliff (Class of 1991, 1992), professor of management/entrepreneurship and chair of the Department of Business Administration, praised the department’s representation at the conference.
“Our department takes immense pride in seeing both faculty and student scholarship recognized on a statewide platform,” she said. “The student-led project and Dr. Tontoh’s impactful research exemplify our mission to promote applied learning and research excellence.”
To learn more about programs in the Smith College of Business & Technology, email cbt@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2174.
