Matthew Naven Assistant Professor of Economics

Huntley 213
540-458-8610
mnaven@wlu.edu
Website - Curriculum Vitae
On-leave winter 2023

Matt joined Washington and Lee as an Assistant Professor of Economics in 2019 after completing his Ph.D. in Economics at the University of California, Davis. Prior to completing his Ph.D. Matt earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Spanish and was a University Scholar at Xavier University. At Washington and Lee Matt teaches Introduction to Economics (ECON 100), Econometrics (ECON 203), Economics of Education (ECON 236), and Public Finance & Public Policy (ECON 250).

Matt’s primary research interests are the economics of education, public finance, and labor economics. His research focuses on the effects of institutions, public policies, and external forces on student outcomes. He’s particularly interested in barriers low-income students face in education, increasing college access for low-income students, and education as a pathway out of poverty. His dissertation studied how the timing of school quality impacts long-run outcomes, whether schools provide heterogeneous quality to their students by socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and gender, and the effects of banning affirmative action.

Matt grew up in Omaha, Nebraska before attending Xavier and UC Davis. In his free time he enjoys music, running, hiking, meditation, craft breweries, and Xavier basketball.

Education

University of California, Davis
Ph.D. Economics (2019)
M.A. Economics (2014)

Xavier University
B.A. Economics (2013)
B.A. Spanish (2013)
University Scholar (2013)

Research

Economics of Education, Public Finance, Labor Economics, Poverty

Teaching

Introduction to Economics (ECON 100), Economics of Education (ECON 236), Public Finance & Public Policy (ECON 250)