Promoting Achievement and Diversity in Economics (PADE) is a Department of Economics initiative to increase the participation of students whose identities are underrepresented in economics in graduate school and related careers.

PADE

Ten to 12 students participate in PADE each year. PADE students attend weekly one-on-one meetings with a graduate student for academic support and enrichment, and receive regular academic and career advising from the PADE faculty director. Students also participate in professional and academic development activities such as visits to DC-area employers, panel discussions with faculty and graduate students, conversations with predoctoral research assistants, academic and professional conferences, and research assistantships with UMD faculty.

PADE 2022-23 Group Photo FRB Event
photo of PADE SEA event
PADE 2022-23 FRB Lunch Discussion
photo of PADE urban institute visit
PADE 2022-23 FRB Lecture
group picture of PADE members

Student Accomplishments

Over 40 students have participated in PADE since its inception in 2016. These students have excelled in and out of the classroom, and are already making their marks in the profession. PADE students have completed internships with institutions including the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Brookings Institution, and the World Bank, and graduates have been hired by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Deloitte, and other prominent employers of young economists. PADE students have participated in the AEA Summer Program and been selected for leadership roles by the Sadie Collective. One PADE alumna has been selected for a prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship for PhD studies in economics.

Applications

Participation is by application, and is open to current UMD undergraduates. Students should be economics majors (or plan to declare a major in economics) who have completed ECON200 and MATH140, or ECON200, ECON201, and ECON305/325 or ECON306/326. Most students join PADE as juniors, and continue to participate in the program until they graduate. First semester freshmen will not be considered for admission, but incoming transfer students are welcome to apply if they have completed the equivalent prerequisite courses in economics and math.

To apply to join PADE in 2024-2025, please fill out this Google Form. The deadline for applications is August 19, 2024.

For More Information

UMD students interested in learning more about PADE or faculty at other schools interested in developing similar programs are welcome to contact the PADE Faculty Director, Dr. Jessica Goldberg (jagold [at] umd [dot] edu).