Change in leadership of Iowa State’s Department of Economics

AMES, Iowa – After 10 years of leading the Department of Economics at Iowa State University, Joshua Rosenbloom will conclude his service as chair on June 30 and remain a faculty member in the department.

Peter Orazem, University Professor of Economics, will serve as interim department chair starting July 1.

“I can’t think of anyone better qualified to step into the interim chair role,” Rosenbloom said. “No one better embodies the unique qualities of Iowa State’s Department of Economics than Peter. He has an instinctive feel for the synergy between general and agricultural and resource economics and how their combination can be leveraged to provide meaningful insights.”

Before retiring in 2023, Orazem had served as an Iowa State faculty member for more than 40 years. His research dealt with labor markets in the United States and in developing countries with a particular interest in human capital, regional economic development and entrepreneurship. He has published 104 refereed journal articles, along with 17 book chapters and an edited volume.

Orazem received his bachelor’s in economics from the University of Kansas and a doctoral degree in economics from Yale University.

“I came to Iowa State in 1982 and have long benefited from the exposure to many bright and creative students and colleagues in the economics department,” Orazem said. “The department has a long and storied tradition in both agricultural and general economics and a commitment to serve the state of Iowa. It is an honor to be asked to help set the foundation for the next chair and for the students and scholars who will be carrying that tradition forward.”

The Department of Economics, one of the oldest units at Iowa State, is co-administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

“We are thrilled to have Professor Peter Orazem return from his very recent retirement to take on the leadership role for the Department of Economics, given his outstanding record of scholarship in all the mission areas of Iowa State, and long and accomplished service to the department, the colleges and the university,” said Daniel J. Robison, endowed dean’s chair in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “He will do an outstanding job of guiding the department forward in this transition, providing leadership and innovation and preparing the department for the future.”

During his tenure as department chair, Rosenbloom restructured the two master’s programs to have a more applied focus, improved instruction in the principles of economics and implemented changes to streamline and enhance the doctoral program. Rosenbloom has also been instrumental in efforts to establish a branch of the Central Plains Federal Statistical Research Data Center, which will facilitate access to restricted federal data for social science researchers on campus when it opens later this summer. He has also updated a number of public spaces in Heady Hall, including the establishment of lounge spaces in Heady Hall used by undergraduate and graduate students.

“We appreciate Joshua’s leadership, and value the time and effort he invested in his role over the 10 years of his service,” said Benjamin C. Withers, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “As an economic historian, Joshua led the department with a keen understanding of its long contributions to the university’s land-grant mission and the development of the state’s economy. As we transition to new leadership, the department will continue to conduct impactful research and teach knowledge critical to Iowa State’s success, especially our ability to produce alumni who can assess the cause and effect of complex decisions on local and global communities.”