What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm Sunday 8am - 5pm

Department of Economics, Finance, and Quantitative Analysis at KSU

Home
United States
Kennesaw, GA
Department of Economics, Finance, and Quantitative Analysis at KSU

Directions Website Contact the university

concentration.

One of the largest departments in the Coles College, offering BBA programs in economics and finance, an MBA concentration in finance, and the upcoming Decision and Risk Analysis Ph.D.

10/12/2026

Join EFQA's Pathways Forward series for an opportunity to hear directly from industry leaders who have built successful careers in financial services and business planning.

On October 14, we welcome Joe Schreck, CEO of MassMutual Piedmont Group, and Aubrey Vaughn, Business Planning Director, for a discussion on corporate life insurance, succession planning, and compensation and benefits design. Students will gain valuable insight into career paths within the industry, the skills employers seek, and the realities of navigating today's professional landscape.

Pathways Forward connects KSU students with accomplished professionals, helping bridge the gap between the classroom and career opportunities through meaningful conversations and networking.

📅 October 14
⏰ 4:10 PM
📍 Prillaman Hall 1103

Whether you're exploring career options, preparing for internships, or planning your next steps after graduation, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

10/08/2026

Faculty Spotlight: Lucy Ackert
Congratulations to Lucy Ackert, professor of finance at Kennesaw State University, whose research continues to shape conversations in the investment world.
A recent MarketWatch column, by Mark Hulbert, featured Professor Ackert’s work on seasonal stock market patterns, highlighting research she conducted with George Athanassakos on how institutional investor incentives can influence the relative performance of large-cap and small-cap stocks throughout the year. The article notes that their findings, first published in 2003 and updated in 2023, remain relevant to investors and market analysts today.
The recognition reflects the lasting impact of Professor Ackert’s scholarship and the valuable contributions KSU faculty make to advancing our understanding of financial markets.
We're proud to see Kennesaw State University research informing national discussions on investing, market behavior, and economic decision-making.
https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20260910445/here-are-the-stocks-to-favor-in-the-fourth-quarter-and-those-you-should-avoid

10/07/2026

Join us for a Lunch & Learn on October 15 and hear from professionals working in secured finance, asset-based lending, and corporate leadership. Learn about career opportunities, industry trends, and what it takes to succeed in finance while enjoying lunch on us.

🍴 Free Chick-fil-A
📅 October 15, 2026
📍 Prillaman Hall Plaza (Room 1001)
⏰ 12:15 PM - 1:40 PM

Featured speakers:
• Joe Massaroni, Gordon Brothers
• Steven Gold, Allied Financial Corporation
• Blake Goddard, Pinnacle Financial Partners

Whether you're exploring finance careers or looking to expand your professional network, this is a great opportunity to learn directly from industry leaders.

✅ RSVP : https://campus.kennesaw.edu/colleges-departments/coles/academics/economics/lunch-and-learn/index.php

10/06/2026

Building financial knowledge is important. Building networks that help students learn from one another is equally valuable.
Thank you to Dr. Shatakshee Dhongde, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in Georgia Tech's Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and School of Economics, for inviting Dr. Borhan Sayedy to speak with IAC Scholars at the Bill Moore Student Success Center.
The event provided an opportunity to discuss personal finance, budgeting, saving, investing, and the importance of developing strong financial habits early in life. We were especially pleased that Ben Tolliday, President of KSU's Financial Freedom Club (FFC), could join the program and share his personal experience. Ben spoke about how participating in Dr. Sayedy's financial literacy workshop last spring influenced his approach to budgeting, saving, and investing, offering fellow students practical insights from his own journey.
The Financial Freedom Club was established to help students build financial confidence and connect with peers who share an interest in financial wellness. As FFC's faculty advisor, Dr. Sayedy is committed to creating opportunities for students to engage with peers beyond KSU, learn from different perspectives, and expand their professional networks.

Thank you to Georgia Tech and the IAC Scholars program for facilitating such a valuable conversation. We look forward to future collaborations that help students develop the knowledge, skills, and connections needed for lifelong success.

10/05/2026

The Department of Economics, Finance, and Quantitative Analysis (EFQA) at Kennesaw State University was honored to welcome Bingqing Chen and Jaewon Yu, economists from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), to speak with students in Dr. Filippo Occhino's Intermediate Macroeconomics course.

Through an engaging presentation and thoughtful discussion, students learned how BLS data on employment, wages, unemployment, job openings, and inflation are collected, analyzed, and used to better understand economic conditions. The session provided a valuable opportunity for students to see how the concepts they study in the classroom are applied in real-world economic research and policymaking.

We are especially grateful to Bingqing Chen and Jaewon Yu for generously sharing their time, expertise, and professional insights with our students. Their willingness to answer questions and discuss the practical application of economic data helped create a meaningful learning experience that will benefit our students long after the class concludes.

Thank you for helping inspire the next generation of economists and data-driven decision-makers.

10/02/2026

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Aysu Ozel
Join us for a research seminar featuring Dr. Aysu Ozel, Assistant Professor of Quantitative Analysis, whose recent work explores how optimization can inform long-term public school district planning amid changing and uncertain student enrollment.
📅 October 8
🕐 1:00 - 2:00 PM
📍 Burruss Building 384
Dr. Ozel will present "The Value of Modeling Enrollment Dynamics in School District Design" as part of the EFQA Research Seminar Series. We hope to see you there!
Learn more: EFQA Research Seminar Series: https://campus.kennesaw.edu/colleges-departments/coles/academics/economics/research-seminar-series.php

10/01/2026

The Department of Economics, Finance, and Quantitative Analysis invites students, faculty, and industry partners to attend the next Pathways Forward Career Path Discussion featuring Aubrey Vaughn, Director of Business Planning, and Joe Schreck, CEO of MassMutual Piedmont Group.

During this session, attendees will gain valuable insight into the business applications of complex life insurance products, non-qualified executive benefit and succession planning, executive compensation and benefit design, and career opportunities within the sophisticated life insurance market.

This discussion offers an excellent opportunity for students to connect classroom concepts with real-world business practices while learning from experienced industry leaders.

📅 October 14
⏰ 4:10 PM
📍 Prillaman Hall 1103

We look forward to seeing you there. Questions may be directed to Thomas Garr at [email protected].

09/29/2026

📣 Two Outstanding Career Development Events Happening Today!

Join us for two engaging career-focused discussions.

Career Pathways Workshop: Financial Advisory Services 🗓 Today 🕒 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 📍 Burruss Building, BB371

Hear from Brady Hood of First Command as he discusses: • Job search strategies • Key skills and competencies • Industry credentials • SkillBridge opportunities

Pathways Forward Career Discussion 🗓 Today 🕔 5:45 PM 📍 Prillaman Hall 1103

Michael Lubin, CFA, Senior Vice President/Principal at LCG Associates, will share insights on: • Institutional investment • Asset management • Policy development • Career opportunities in the finance industry

Whether you're exploring career options or preparing for your next professional step, these sessions offer valuable insights and networking opportunities with experienced professionals.

We look forward to seeing you there!

09/24/2026

Pathways Forward Speaker

The Department of Economics, Finance, and Quantitative Analysis invites students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals to join us for a Pathways Forward discussion featuring Michael Lubin, CFA, Senior Vice President/Principal at LCG Associates.

Drawing on extensive experience in institutional investment consulting, Michael will provide insight into the strategies and analytical frameworks used to advise and manage large multi-billion-dollar portfolios. Discussion topics include:

This session offers a valuable opportunity to learn about a specialized area of the finance industry and gain perspective on how investment consultants help organizations make long-term strategic decisions.

📅 September 29, 2026
⏰ 5:45 PM - 7:05 PM
📍 Prillaman Hall 1103

Learn more about the Pathways Forward series:
https://campus.kennesaw.edu/colleges-departments/coles/academics/economics/pathways-forward/index.php

09/23/2026

Looking to learn more about careers in Financial Advisory Services?

The KSU Department of Economics, Finance, and Quantitative Analysis (EFQA), in partnership with KSU Military and Veteran Services, invites students to attend a Career Pathways Workshop with Brady Hood of First Command.

During this interactive Q&A session, students will gain insights into:

• Job search strategies
• Essential skills and competencies
• Industry certifications and credentials
• SkillBridge opportunities

📅 September 29
⏰ 3:00–4:00 PM
📍 Burruss Building, Room BB371

This event is open to students interested in exploring career opportunities in financial services and learning how to stand out in today's job market.

Register by scanning the QR code on the flyer. We hope to see you there!

Address

560 Parliament Garden Way
Kennesaw, GA

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm
Sunday	8am - 5pm

Website

https://www.kennesaw.edu/coles/academics/economics/index.php

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Department of Economics, Finance, and Quantitative Analysis at KSU posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to Department of Economics, Finance, and Quantitative Analysis at KSU:

Want your university to be the top-listed university in Kennesaw?