CWU Department of Economics

05/05/2026

Join us for the CWU Economic Outlook Conference today 9AM to 1PM in Sue Lombard Hall. Learn about current economic conditions impacting our region, with a special focus on workforce development and AI.

04/17/2026

Support Student Research & Professional Development

Preparing Economists for the Real World

CWU students gain hands‑on, career‑ready experience through student‑led research and national case competitions that apply economic analysis to real‑world challenges. A cornerstone of this work is the Student Price Index (SPI), which provides meaningful insights into the cost of living and college affordability for CWU students in Ellensburg.

Support from makes it possible for students to present their research at the Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Conference (PNREC) in Portland and compete in the Global Case Competition at Harvard University. These transformative opportunities help students sharpen analytical and communication skills, collaborate on complex problems, and build professional networks in economics and business.

Your gift directly invests in student success—fueling experiential learning, expanding real‑world research, and empowering CWU students to represent the university on regional and national stages.

11/12/2025

🍕 Econ Connect: Pizza with Alumni – Earn Extra Credit & EDGE Points!

Date/Time: Tuesday, November 12 | 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Location: Shaw-Smyser Room 114 & Zoom
Host: CWU Economics Association

Event Details:
Join the Economics Association for a fun and casual networking event with our CB alumni! Hear from two graduates as they share how their time at Central shaped their careers and what advice they have for current students.

The event will include:

🎤 Alumni Q&A

🧠 A fun business trivia quiz

🍕 Free pizza and great conversation

This event is open to all students, especially those in the College of Business. Bring a friend, come for the free slice of pizza, leave with a little slice of success!

08/30/2025

“Fall is almost here! 🍂 We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to campus. Here’s a look back at some favorite moments from last academic year—what a year it was! 📸✨”

06/15/2025

04/21/2025

📉 Join us for the 2025 CWU Economic Outlook Conference: Trends in Business Sustainability! 📈

📅 Tuesday, April 22nd
🕘 9AM - 3PM
🌎 Sue Lombard Hall, CWU Ellensburg

The annual CWU Economic Outlook Conference, a key event organized by the CWU Department of Economics and the College of Business, provides a valuable platform for a wide range of participants to come together and examine the economic landscape of our region. This includes experienced professionals from various industries, knowledgeable economists, enthusiastic CWU students, dedicated university staff and faculty, and engaged members of the broader community.

This year's conference centers on the significant theme of business sustainability. Through focused sessions, attendees will gain deeper insights into critical aspects such as the evolving future of agriculture within our local context, effective strategies for building regional economic and business resilience to navigate future challenges, and the integral role of cultural sustainability in fostering a vibrant and enduring economy.

A significant feature of the conference will be interactive roundtable discussions, designed to encourage active participation and the sharing of diverse perspectives on these important subjects. Moreover, leading economists from the state will offer their expertise and analysis on current economic trends, while talented CWU students will present their research on timely issues, including inflation, shifts in the labor market, and the dynamics of government budgets. The goal of these presentations is to provide directly applicable economic understanding and relevant information to benefit our local communities.

https://www.cwu.edu/about/media-resources/news/campus-notices/2025/04/2025-cwu-economic-outlook-conference.php




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09/08/2024

As we eagerly await the start of the Fall 2024 quarter, we wanted to share some photos from the previous academic year's events such as: Economic Outlook Conference, PNREC, Star Student Event, promotions, graduation, and various outings. Looking forward to the upcoming academic year!

06/09/2024

Congratulations to the 2024 graduates!

05/03/2024

The CWU Economics Department and the College of Business is hosting the 20th annual Economic Outlook Conference (EOC) this Monday, May 6th! This is your chance to gain insights, share knowledge, and discuss national & regional economic trends with industry experts.

This year's theme is "Inclusive Labor Policies: Adapting Regulations to the Changing Nature of Work." We'll explore how immigration and AI are shaping the U.S. labor market, and what that means for the future.

Join us for a day of thought-provoking discussions, networking opportunities, and collaboration! General admission is only $20, and free for CWU students, faculty, and staff.

https://www.cwu.edu/academics/colleges/college-business/economics/eoc

05/01/2024

Betty Mittelstaedt was nominated by the Economics Department faculty for Student Employee of the Year for her work as a student research and teaching assistant.

Betty strives to identify the best practices for instruction and seeks help when needed. Betty is dependable and one of the best teaching and research assistant I have worked with. She’s a strong team player. Willing to teach other students. Responds quickly to students’ emails and requests from faculty and staff. Very pleasant person. Always greeting staff and students with a smile. She is a natural leader, who is knowledgeable about the content material and willing to train others. Works well with students.