‘Geographically Disadvantaged, but not Intellectually Isolated.’
Dr. Chih Ming Tan holds many titles at the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration (NCoBPA): Professor in Economics, Associate Dean for Research, Program Director of M.S. in Applied Economics & Predictive Analytics and Affiliated Faculty of the Institute of Policy and Business Analytics. He is also the first to be named Page Endowed Chair in Applied Economics.
“This Endowed Chair position has allowed for the ability to do great things – to build research with its resources and collaborate across campus. It makes it comparable to doing research at any other major academic institution. But this all came about because of a culture of willingness to accept ideas and to empower people to make their ideas realizations. That, I think, is what makes this University compelling,” said Dr. Tan.
An applied econometrician with published research on inequality and mobility, global health and economic growth & development, Dr. Tan received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Prior to joining UND, Dr. Tan taught for nine years at Tufts University and Clark University in Massachusetts. He has also worked as an Economic Analyst for the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Singapore.
“Some of the key ingredients to research is maintaining sustainability and nurturing your research network. The substantial gifts from donors have allowed us to bring in top people from all fields to interact with us faculty and share their research,” said Dr. Tan who specifically named the Korus Seminar Series in Economics and Finance as well as the Korus Distinguished Lectureship, both having hosted internationally renowned scholars. He also highlighted the strong alumni support for NCoBPA’s Institute of Policy and Business Analytics. “Although we are geographically disadvantaged, so to speak, we are not intellectually isolated. And that's critical.”
ENDOWED FACULTY
One professor can touch the lives of many. Supporting endowed faculty like Dr. Tan will continue to elevate the University of North Dakota while attracting the best and brightest of scholars. Increasing support for our endowed faculty will allow us to:
- Attract and retain outstanding teaching and research faculty
- Draw top-notch students who want to work with leading scholars
- Secure research grants and private support
- Expand the University’s profile and participation across the networks
- Foster media attention and bring in national conferences
