Dr. Mackenzie Alston

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Mackenzie Alston joined the Gies College of Business as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Finance after three years at Florida State University. His research focuses on experimental behavioral economics, labor, and education. Alston's recent publications include topics such as discrimination in hiring practices and the preferences of high-capacity donors in charitable giving. He has a Ph.D. in Economics from Texas A&M University and an A.B. in Economics and Mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis. His teaching spans courses such as Financial Economics and Methods in Surveys & Experiments, with a focus on micro- and macro-economic drivers that affect business fundamentals.

Research Interests

Experience

Postdoctoral Fellow

— Present

National Bureau of Economic Research • Washington, D.C.

Conducted research focusing on economic behavior and labor market policies.

Assistant Professor

— Present

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • Champaign, IL

Teaching courses in Finance and conducting research in Labor and Education Economics.

Lecturer

— Present

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • Champaign, IL

Taught introductory and advanced finance courses.

Assistant Professor

— Present

Florida State University • Tallahassee, FL

Focused on research and teaching in Economics.

Requirements for University of Illinois

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:19
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:103
GRE General
Prerequisites
Mathematical background Linear Algebra Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE is optional for admission to all graduate programs in Statistics. Full status admission requires higher language scores than limited status.