Economics Club Thanks Featured Spring 2025 Alumni Speakers

The IUP Economics Club wishes to thank the alumni who met with students during the spring 2025 semester!  Some speakers met on campus with students, and others were able to interact with the group via Zoom.  From each one, students learned valuable insights about career pathways, tips for greater academic success, and networking suggestions.

Walking backwards through the semester, Spring 2025 Economics Club activity highlights include the following:

• April 16: Helena Rados-Derr (’04, M’10) currently is a Senior Investment Professional in the Investment Office with the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS). She graduated from IUP summa cum laude with a BA—Economics degree and earned her MBA from IUP in 2010. From 2005 to 2024, Helena held numerous positions, including Research Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, with Stewart Capital Advisors and S&T Bank. 
• March 27 (Joint with Student Finance Association): Mike Secrist (’95) graduated from IUP with a BA—Economics degree with a minor in Applied Statistics and holds project management certification from Boston University. Following roles with UPMC Health Plan and United Healthcare, Mike currently is First Vice President with Alliant Insurance Services.
• March 18: Justin Foran ('21) is a third-year student at Widener University Commonwealth Law School where he is active in Appellate Advocacy Honors Society and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Justin has worked with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Tax Litigation Section, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and Crisp and Associates. He graduated from IUP summa cum laude with a BA—Economics/Honors Pre-Law Track degree with a minor in Applied Statistics.
• February 18: Jennifer Faught (’03, M’05) graduated from IUP summa cum laude with a BA—Economics degree that included a minor in Mathematics and earned her M.A. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from IUP in 2005. She has held numerous positions since 2005 within IUP Housing and currently is Director of Occupancy and Administration. In addition, Jennifer is Retail Manager and Social Media Director for Faught’s Greenhouse and has been active in real estate investing since 2010.
• February 12: Economics Club Welcome Back Pizza Party

The mission of the Economics Club is to promote the interest and understanding of economics among students, to provide opportunity for students to participate in projects benefiting the university community while increasing their own knowledge of economics, and to bring students and faculty members together in an informal social environment. Membership in this organization is open to all members of the IUP community.  Dr. Jim Jozefowicz currently serves as faculty advisor for the club.