A research paper coauthored by two Indiana University of Pennsylvania students with IUP economics faculty member James Jozefowicz has been selected for publication in an international economics journal.
Micaela Jebitsch, Emily Schumacher, and Jozefowicz’s co-authored work, “NHL Attendance Differences Across the Border: United States Versus Canada,” was published November 10 in International Advances in Economic Research.
This open-access article analyzes whether there are United States-Canadian differences in the determinants of National Hockey League game attendance using a panel data model.
“What I most appreciate about working with Micaela and Emily is their enthusiasm for taking advantage of the many undergraduate research opportunities available to IUP students,” Jozefowicz said.
“In fact, the specific idea for this paper derived from an audience member’s question when Micaela and Emily presented earlier data analysis at the 2025 IUP Scholars Forum. Witnessing top-notch economics majors like Micaela and Emily translate their love of hockey into an empirical analysis of NHL attendance was immensely fulfilling for me as an economics professor, and I am proud to have them continue the longstanding tradition of IUP economics majors conducting original research in areas of personal interest to them.”
Jebitsch, a senior economics honors and mathematics double major from Hellertown, and Schumacher, an economics honors major from Abington, were honored as corecipients of the 2025 Research Award at the Pennsylvania Sports Business Conference, “Inclusive Leadership in Sports,” held in April at IUP.
“We chose this topic because of our mutual interest in sports, specifically hockey, and the lack of attendance at a game we attended,” Schumacher said. “This drove us to investigate the determinants of attendance at NHL games.
“I am incredibly honored to have been published nationally as an undergraduate,” Jebitsch said. “I will forever be grateful for the opportunities Dr. Jozefowicz has provided me through IUP’s Economics Department. Collaborating with both Emily and Dr. Jozefowicz on this research has truly been a highlight of my time at IUP.”
“Having our article published in a national journal feels so surreal,” Schumacher said. “I am especially grateful to Dr. Jozefowicz for his mentorship throughout this process and his continuous dedication to his students’ success. Sharing our research with numerous audiences would not have been possible without my esteemed coauthors, Micaela and Dr. Jozefowicz. It’s been a privilege to have these experiences and achievements here at IUP.”
The two also won the Eberly College of Business Outstanding Podium Presentation Award at IUP’s 2025 Scholars Forum in April, and they presented their research at the annual Pennsylvania Economic Association Conference in May in Reading.
Both Jebitsch and Schumacher completed IUP’s Justice Research Fellowship program, offered by the IUP Administration and Leadership Studies Research and Training Center; Jebitsch for the 2023–24 academic year and Schumacher for the 2024–25 academic year.
The program offers the opportunity for the students to participate in “real-life,” practical mini-research projects with IUP faculty during the winter and spring semesters.
Jebitsch, daughter of Hilary and Kurt Jebitsch, is a 2022 graduate of Saucon Valley High School. She is a dean’s list student and is the alumni engagement chair for the IUP Ambassadors student-alumni group. She is also involved with the Student Managed Investment Portfolio and the Women in STEAM Club and serves on the social media team for the Men’s D1 Hockey Club. She is a former resident assistant and former president of the IUP Residence Hall Association. She presented her research poster, “Recidivism and its Costs for Indiana County,” at the 2024 IUP Scholars Forum.
Schumacher, daughter of Susan Kelly and Mark Schumacher, is a 2022 graduate of Abington Senior High School. She is a member of the Cook Honors College and the economics honors program. She is a dean’s list student and research assistant for IUP economics faculty member Brandon Vick, who is analyzing and writing a report on crime trends in rural versus urban counties in Pennsylvania.
She is the treasurer for the IUP Ambassadors student alumni group, is the chief compliance officer for the Student Management Investment Portfolio group and the treasurer for the Lettuce Eating Club, and is a member of the Economics Club. She has been a volunteer for the Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County and a Welcome Week Leader for the past three years.
Since its founding in 1875, IUP has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. As IUP celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2025, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking toward a future of innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.