Faculty

Albert J. SumellProfessor of Economics

"The value is not just pecuniary in the sense that the majority of those with an MBA have a positive ROI. The value is also based on the experience, which involves what you learn in class and your willingness to network with other students and faculty."

Degrees Held:

• Ph.D. in Economics – Georgia State University, 2005
• M.A. in Economics – Georgia State University, 2001
• B.A. in Economics – Salisbury State University, 199

Career Highlights:

Publications:

"Overdose Deaths and Entrepreneurial Activity," Economies 2020, 8, 23.

“Are your students absent, not absent, or present? Mindfulness and student performance,” (with Eric Chiang) Journal of Economic Education. 2019, 50: 1, 1-16.

“Increase Interest in Compound Interest: Economic Growth and Personal Finance,” (with Tomi Ovaska). Journal of Economics and Finance Education, 2017, 16: 2, 85 – 97.

“Fracturing and Foreclosure: A study of shale gas development and foreclosure levels in Pennsylvania,” Housing Studies, 2016, 31: 4, 445- 462.

“Who Has the Advantage? An Economic Exploration of Winning in Men’s Professional Tennis,” (with Tomi Ovaska). The American Economist, 2014, LIX: 1, 34 – 51.

“A Model of International Student Selection of a U.S. Ph.D. Institution,” (with Esra Tanyildiz). Journal of Educational Planning and Administration, 2011, 25: 4, 315 - 335.

“The Effect of Tax Structure on Government Size: Evidence from the OECD,” (with
Tomi Ovaska). Pennsylvania Economic Review, 2011, 18: 1, 24 – 36.

“Employment Growth and Spatial Concentration in Indonesia,” (with Javier Arze), Australasian Journal of Regional Studies, 2010, 16: 3. 165 – 186.

“The Determinants of Foreclosed Property Values: Evidence from Inner City Cleveland,” Journal of Housing Research, 2009, 18: 1, 45-61.

“Capturing Knowledge: The Location Decisions of New PhDs Working in Industry,” (with Paula Stephan and James Adams), Science and Engineering Careers in the United States, Richard B. Freeman and Daniel F. Goroff (eds), Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press for National Bureau of Economic Research, 2009, 257-287.

Awards:

YSU-OEA Service Award for recognition of outstanding service, 2019.

Distinguished Professorship Award in the Area of Service, Youngstown State University, 2018.

Smith-Murphy Award, to faculty who go above and beyond, presented by YSU SGA, 2017.

YSU-OEA Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015.

Honorary Inductee into Golden Key International Honor Society, 2014.

Featured in the Excellence in Education Series of Ohio Magazine, 2012.

Distinguished Professorship Award in the Area of Teaching, Youngstown State University, 2012.

In which online degree program do you teach?

• MBA – General

• What do you want students to take away from your classes?

  1. 1) Examine how microeconomic principles are relevant to business organizations through the application of concepts in business decision making scenarios.
  2. 2) Demonstrate how pricing and production strategies can influence business organizations revenue and profitability and be used to meet business organizations objectives.
  3. 3) Critically evaluate how economic forces and market conditions influence business organizations.
  4. 4) Develop practical skills through the application of economic tools to analyze specific recommendations within the context of the market environment.
  5. 5) Articulate how market structure influences the ability of firms to increase prices and market surplus.
  6. 6) Apply game theory to inform business strategies when faced with situations business organizations encounter that involve competitors.

• What drew you to this field?

  The value is not just pecuniary in the sense that the majority of those with an MBA have a positive ROI. The value is also based on the experience, which involves what you learn in class and your willingness to network with other students and faculty.

• What advice would you give to your online students?

  You'll do well in this program if you're willing to do the work and be willing to reach out to your professors if you're struggling.

• What is the one book you think everyone should read?

  “Making Nice” by Matt Sumell

• Tell us something interesting about yourself that your students might not know.

  I have broken three legs skiing but have only been skiing twice in my life.