A woman in business attire sitting in an economics class.

Molasky Family Department of Economics and Real Estate News

The Molasky Family Department of Economics and Real Estate prepares students to be economist who allocate scarce resources to meet unlimited wants. By blending theory and applied quantitative and analytical skills, our graduates acquire essential skills for pursing jobs in businesses, financial firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. We also offer advanced degrees in business, economics, law, public administration, and other social services.

Current Economics and Real Estate News

Outdoor view
Campus News |

A collection of top headlines featuring UNLV faculty and students.

Susan Adair wearing red sweater and glasses while sitting on steps
People |

The second-place President’s Classified Employee of the Year brings a chemist’s precision and a service-first approach to the economics department.

spring campus
Campus News |

Some of the most vibrant headlines featuring UNLV faculty and students.

colorful mural featuring elements of Las Vegas
Campus News |

Mural and leadership course pay homage to women who have elevated the hospitality industry while acknowledging the challenges that remain.

A closeup of a football between a football player's hands.
Campus News |

When stadiums, Super Bowls, Swifties, and superfans become your case studies.

Some early studying during the opening week of the Spring 2026 semester (Josh Hawkins/UNLV).
Campus News |

A look at some of the most eye-grabbing headlines featuring UNLV faculty, staff, and students.

Economics and Real Estate In The News

Las Vegas Sun

Over 50 years ago, local real estate mogul Irwin Molasky donated 45 acres at Maryland Parkway and Flamingo Road — land that would become the heart of UNLV’s campus. That single gift set in motion the founding of the region’s first university.

KSNV-TV: News 3

A sweeping housing affordability proposal could eventually help level the playing field for renters and boost new home construction, but economic and real estate expert Dr. Nicholas Irwin said the impact will not be immediate as Southern Nevada continues to face high mortgage rates and broader economic uncertainty.

KVVU-TV: Fox 5

Donation establishes endowment for scholarships, faculty research and hands-on learning at Lee Business School.

Vegas Inc

American consumers have remained relatively resilient against high gas prices as a result of the war in Iran, according to David Tinsley, managing director and senior economist at the Bank of America Institute.

NPR

In cities like Las Vegas, LA, and Miami, investors are crowding out prospective homebuyers. But it’s not just corporate landlords.

CNBC

A sparsely-populated state known for its world-class casinos and dry desert climate has been a bright spot in the tepid U.S. job market.

Economics and Real Estate Experts

An expert in housing, environmental, and urban issues.
An accomplished economist, professor, and administrator in the fields of business and economic research.
An economics professor specializing in real estate, as well as urban, health, and environmental issues. 
An expert on economics, computing, and higher education.
An economist studying microeconometrics, economics of food security, health economics, and urban economics        
An expert in public policy, business, and economics.

Recent Economics and Real Estate Accomplishments

Isabelle Graham (Economics; Brookings Mountain West; The Lincy Institute) and Zachary Billot (Political Science ’24) will represent Nevada and California respectively at the 2025 Western Governors' Leadership Institute (WGLI) Annual Meeting. The WGLI is a prestigious program developed by the Western Governors' Association to…
Stephen Miller (Economics; Center for Business and Economic Research) had his paper, "Does Debt  Management Matter for  REIT Returns?", with co-authors Zhilan Feng, Clarkson University, and Dogan Tirtiroglu, Ryerson University appear as the lead article in the Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, January 2025. Asset and debt…
Alyx Phillips from Three Square Food Bank and Environmental and Occupational Health alum, Courtney Coughenour, Sheila Janofsky (both Environmental and Occupational Health), Ian McDonough (Economics), Jason Flatt (Social and Behavioral Health), Samantha John (Brain Health), and Lisa Segler from Three Square Food Bank presented a talk, "…
Stephen M. Miller (Economics and Center for Business and Economic Research) and Yevgeniy Teryoshin (Economics) had a paper published by Economics Letters titled "Income Inequality and Monetary Policy Regimes.” This paper reconsiders the possible effects of monetary policy on income inequality to determine whether monetary policy can indirectly…
Nicholas B. Irwin (Economics) has been appointed as the Research Director at UNLV’s Lied Center for Real Estate. In this role, Irwin will expand the Center’s research program in both the academic and policy arenas. He will also work with Shawn J. McCoy, Lied Center Director, to further enhance Lied’s strong reputation in the state and local…
Jennifer Vanderlaan (Nursing), Jay Shen (Public Health), and Ian K. McDonough (Economics) published their article, "Validation of a measure of hospital maternal level of care for the United States."