Jill Shomer
DeVon Thompson CC’26 (he/him/his) is from Agawam, Mass. A joint major in economics and political science, he spent three weeks in June at the Expanding Diversity in Economics (EDE) Summer Institute in Chicago. He’s preparing to spend the academic year in London.
Tell us about your experience with the EDE Summer Institute.
EDE is a three-week program that offers exposure to the study of economics while providing insight into careers related to economic theory and policy. I learned about it through my freshman-year “Principles of Economics” professor Waseem Noor GSAS’97. He would frequently send emails with different opportunities within the realm of economics.
What drew me to apply was the program’s emphasis on building technical skills and the opportunity to connect with leading experts in the field. The program’s focus on bridging the gap between academic research and real-world fiscal and monetary policy was particularly compelling.
During the first two weeks in Chicago, the program mostly consisted of lectures on microeconomics and statistics, presentations of cutting-edge research by professors and networking opportunities. In the third week, we were hosted by the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., where we took field trips to the World Bank, the IMF and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
What was a highlight of the experience for you?
It’s hard to pick just one because the program offers so much. We heard from Nobel Prize-winning economists like James Heckman and Michael Kremer, as well as prominent figures like former Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke and Chicago Federal Reserve Bank chair Austan Goolsbee, all of whom had interesting insights from their research and experience.
But one of the biggest highlights was learning about the behavioral economic research of Jens Ludwig. His presentation opened my eyes to the intersection of psychology and economics and showed how economic principles regarding choices can be applied to problems such as crime and gun violence. Professor Ludwig’s work shows that individuals living in high-risk environments may not fully weigh the long-term consequences of their actions due to immediate pressures. This impulsivity leads to higher levels of violence. As such, programs that seek to improve decision-making skills that teach “thinking slow” through deliberate, rational processes in high-pressure situations can lead to better outcomes. I was shocked by the profound effectiveness of this type of intervention.
What was your biggest takeaway?
That economics is a vast field and it offers something for everyone willing to put in the effort. It’s not just about numbers and theory; economists, even those in academia, are actively working on research that has the potential to improve society. Economics is fun, important and made for ambitious individuals who want to have a direct impact on people’s lives.
What’s been your favorite class at Columbia and why?
My freshman year Literature Humanities class with Dr. [Julie] Crawford. Her genuine care for students and her ability to guide discussions based on our ideas made the class truly engaging. The community in that class was also incredible, and many of my classmates have become close friends. Dr. Crawford helped me find things in the text I never thought I could uncover and write in ways I never have. Her mentorship improved my writing and inspired a deeper appreciation of critical thinking about the world around me. She is the absolute best!
What do you like to do outside of class?
I enjoy pick-up basketball; I’m excited that we’ll have a club basketball team this year. I also enjoy watching UFC with friends, weightlifting, reading, following politics and debating. I’ve been on the board of The Remedy Project, which was rewarding. Also, being the civil rights law lead editor of the Black Pre-Law Journal has allowed me to engage with legal and social justice issues with my peers and attend fun community-building events, which I love.
How do you take advantage of being in New York City?
I make the most of NYC daily, whether exploring new neighborhoods, trying different foods or going to live music events. I highly recommend Roti Roll, Bleecker Street Pizza and the Maximo sandwich from Hana Food in Brooklyn. I also engage with the city’s vibrant political scene by attending protests, debating with classmates and locals, and catching speeches by political figures when they’re in town.
On the fun side, seeing Trevor Noah live and visiting places like the American Museum of Natural History and The Edge have been great experiences. Often, there is so much to do it can be overwhelming at times. But I have made a habit out of exploring, trying new foods and attending fun events.