Prof. Mary Hansen

Mary Eschelbach Hansen (Ph.D., University of Illinois) is an expert in U.S. social policy. She is widely published in the fields of child policy, bankruptcy, and economic history. Her work addresses key issues in race, gender, and economic inequality. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Institute for New Economic Thinking.



Was there a particular person—a professor or someone outside of academia—who played an important role in your decision to become an economist?
 
For me, undergraduate professors made all the difference. My interest in economics was kindled by my prof for intro micro at Saint Louis University (LeRoy Grossman). He was enthusiastic in class, but, more importantly, we talked a lot outside of class. My decision to pursue life as an academic economist was guided by Rick Cheney. Again, Rick and I talked a lot outside of class. He knew me well, so he guided me well. All of my career, I have worked to emulate my experience at SLU and to train new PhDs to do the same.