Dividends Magazine, 2022 Edition

Passing It On

Dr. Sandra Orozco-Aleman’s Commitment to Sharing What She Has Learned

By Kathy Kenne

Dr. Sandra Orozco-Aleman’s energy is infectious. She loves to talk about her research and her students. The heart of her character is that of an encourager. In her research, she wants to provide accurate information to policy makers to help them make the best decisions for our country. With her students, she wants them to seize new opportunities and goes out of her way to provide those to them.

Orozco-Aleman is an Associate Professor of Economics in the College of Business. The graduate of the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and the University of Pittsburgh, where she received her PhD, knew she found her calling at 7 a.m. on the first day of her first economics class in college.

“When I took that class, I said, ‘This is my place,’” she recalls. “It came very naturally to me, and I enjoyed it.”

Little did she know where that spark of interest would take her in the future. Her research focuses on how different labor policies affect the marketplace and immigration.

“It is crucial to study the characteristics of migrants and the effect of immigration policies on them,” she says. “They are an important part of the U.S. labor force, and their characteristics determine their contribution to the U.S. labor market.”

In her research, Orozco-Aleman studies the labor market impact of immigration, unauthorized immigration and American immigration policies. In a recent project, she analyzed new trends in return migration and the selectivity of Mexican immigrants. While most of her research focuses on studying immigrants entering the United States, she has found that a sizable number of documented and undocumented migrants return voluntarily to their home countries every year, and their characteristics have changed significantly over the last decade.

Not only has Orozco-Aleman’s research garnered national attention, but her service has as well. She currently holds the title of President of the American Society of Hispanic Economists (ASHE). In that role, she has become increasingly involved in working to increase minority representation within the field of economics, not only among Hispanics but from African Americans and women as well.

“Dr. Orozco-Aleman has been an excellent president during ASHE’s 20th anniversary,” states Dr. Jose Fernandez, Past President of ASHE. “Under her leadership, ASHE has launched a mid-career mentoring program, a virtual research seminar series and a nationally recognized publication in the Hispanic Economic Outlook. For the first time, ASHE has received attention from other national Hispanic organizations and government officials. ASHE has also reached its largest membership over its 20-year history. It has been a privilege and honor to serve with her as President.”

As mentioned by Fernandez, a theme that Orozco-Aleman comes back to often is that of mentorship.

“I’ve received mentoring from many people and have valued it,” she says. “Professors, classmates and colleagues along the way have given me knowledge, friendship and encouragement that have helped me grow. I appreciate it and believe I can do something to pass it on. If that helps increase the participation of minorities in the profession, that’s great!”

Orozco-Aleman is now using her knowledge and experience to invest into others’ lives, particularly MSU students.

For instance, she and Dr. Heriberto Gonzalez serve as co-advisors of the Economics Club in the College of Business, which is open to any student on campus. The club focuses on mentoring, learning opportunities, internships and job opportunities.

Dr. Sandra Orozco-Aleman

Photo courtesy of MSU Office of Public Affairs

“During my first year in the Economics Club, Dr. Orozco-Aleman organized a trip to the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta,” shares Jalen Sparkman, a senior finance major who will be joining J.P. Morgan in New York City upon graduation. “This was my first experience with the backbone of the financial service industry (the Federal Reserve). She accompanied us on our tours and shared different facts. She also organized a speaker to come teach us more about the Fed and exposed us to working opportunities as well. She gives advice when asked and puts people in positions to accomplish their goals.

“I’ve been involved in the Economics Club because I wanted to be surrounded by people with an interest in business and the global economy, just like me,” he continues. “I have gained friendships and exposure to different industries that have an impact on the economy.”

Prior to COVID, Orozco-Aleman not only organized the trip to the Fed, but she also took students to visit International Paper. She’s hoping to begin making those trips again soon.

“There are several recent MSU graduates who work or have done internships at the Fed and at International Paper,” she shares. “I asked them to tell students what they wish they had learned in college that they know now. Both institutions were surprised by our students’ inquisitiveness and encouraged us to come again.”

Always thinking of new ways to involve students in learning, Orozco-Aleman and several colleagues host seminars to discuss immigration, often taking a holistic approach to the subject by involving representatives from other disciplines and institutions. The Economics Club has also sponsored guest speakers and has organized several social activities where students can meet and spend time with other economics majors.

Orozco-Aleman finds joy in her role at MSU.

“I’m very happy with what I do,” she says with a smile. “I enjoy working with my datasets, and I enjoy being in the classroom contributing to students’ development.”

She is grateful for the resources and support she has received from the College of Business.

Economics Club students visit International Paper. Jalen Sparkman is fifth from the left.

Photo by Dr. Sandra Orozco-Aleman

“The College of Business has provided an environment where my colleagues and I can share ideas and collaborate,” she notes. “Dean Oswald and my Department Head, Kathleen Thomas, have always shown an interest in my research. They’ve encouraged me to set goals and go for them! They make me feel that what I’m doing is important and valuable.”

Given her investment in their lives and learning, there are no doubt many students who would say the same thing about her. She has truly lived up to the commitment she made to herself to “pass it along,” and there are many bright young minds graduating from Mississippi State University who have been the beneficiaries.

“Dr. Orozco-Aleman has been my favorite teacher here at MSU,” reflects Sparkman. “She incorporates real life examples to relate the material we learn to the current world. She is also patient and extremely approachable, which helps everyone in class fully grasp concepts and enjoy the learning process. She’s dedicated to improving the knowledge and skills of all her students. She not only focuses on our academics, but she ensures we are prepared for life after college. I appreciate having someone like that in my life.”

Economics Club students show off Christmas gifts from Orozco-Aleman – MSU keychains.

Photo by Dr. Sandra Orozco-Aleman