Econ Fellows
Economics Fellows
A select group of students who lead, mentor, and represent the department.
WHAT IS THE ECONOMICS FELLOWS PROGRAM?
The Economics Fellows program is the Department of Economics' most selective student leadership opportunity. Each semester, a small cohort of no more than 10 students serves as the public face of the department, leading campus tours, supporting department events, mentoring younger students, and representing economics across the university.
Fellows aren't just strong students. They're the ones who show up in the classroom, in the Economics Club, on campus, and in the community. The program is built around Virginia Tech's motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), and Fellows are expected to embody that principle in everything they do.
WHAT FELLOWS DO
Fellows serve as department ambassadors at events, networking nights, open houses, and campus tours. When prospective students and families visit, Fellows are often the first economics students they meet.
Fellows work directly with younger students in the department — helping them navigate course selection, get involved in extracurriculars, and find their footing as economics majors.
From socials to professional panels to alumni networking events, Fellows help plan, organize, and run the programming that makes the department a community.
Fellows are expected to demonstrate a genuine commitment to service, within the department and across campus and beyond.
PROGRAM DETAILS
The Economics Fellows program is highly selective. To be considered, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate extracurricular involvement across the department and campus. Academic performance alone isn't enough. This program looks for students who are already actively contributing to the economics community and who have a clear commitment to service.
Fellows participate on a semester-to-semester basis and may serve for up to two years. The program maintains a maximum of 10 active Fellows at any time, so each new cohort is typically just two to three students depending on how many current Fellows are returning. This keeps the group small and close-knit by design.
Fellows receive an official designation on their resume, along with a graduation medal recognizing their service to the department. Additional benefits are currently in development. Check back for updates.
FOR EMPLOYERS AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS
If you're reviewing a resume or application that lists "Economics Fellow" from Virginia Tech, here's what that means: this candidate was selected from a competitive pool based on academic excellence (3.5+ GPA), sustained involvement in the department and campus community, and a demonstrated commitment to service. They served as a department ambassador, a peer mentor, and an active contributor to departmental programming. The program accepts no more than 10 students at a time, and participation is renewed each semester based on continued engagement and performance.
In short, it means this student did more than earn good grades. They invested in the people and programs around them, and the department trusted them to represent it.
QUESTIONS?
For more information regarding the Economics Fellows program, policies, or procedures, please contact:
Jadrian Wooten, Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Phone: 540-231-4537
Location: Pamplin Hall 3034
Email: jadrian@vt.edu