Mark Kurt
Associate Dean for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business & Professor of Economics
Department: Love School of Business
Email: mkurt@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-5915
Brief Biography
Mark Kurt is associate dean of curriculum and academic programs in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business (LSB) at Elon University, where he also serves as professor of economics. A leader in global experiential education, Kurt has shaped innovative academic programs that promote career readiness, cross-cultural learning, and inclusive excellence in the classroom and beyond. He currently oversees curriculum development, accreditation and assurance of learning, graduate program innovation, and rankings strategy across the LSB.
Kurt brings extensive experience in international education, having previously served as assistant dean of global education, faculty director of the International Business Dual Degree program, and faculty in residence at Elon’s London Center. In the past four years, he has led the development of 17 faculty-led study away programs and spearheaded Elon’s academic expansion through new coursework, internships, and other high impact practices in Singapore, Sydney, Los Angeles, and Charlotte.
An applied labor economist, Kurt’s research explores labor market dynamics and the scholarship of teaching and learning in global contexts. His work has been published in Health Economics, Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, Journal of Labor Research, and Journal of Studies in International Education. He remains deeply engaged in teaching, integrating experiential and place-based learning into courses on macroeconomics, labor markets, and development economics.
His leadership, teaching, and scholarship reflect a commitment to advancing engaged, inclusive, and globally-connected business education.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mark is known for his love of pistachios, passion for Star Trek: The Next Generation, and his soft spot for tollers (for those who know, you know).
MAJOR FIELDS OF CONCENTRATION
Labor Economics, Macroeconomics, and International Education
News & Notes
Education
| Degree | Field | Institution | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | Economics | The University of Iowa | 2008 |
| M.A. | Economics | The University of Iowa | 2005 |
| B.S. | Economics | Clemson University | 2000 |
Employment History
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
Associate Dean of Curriculum and Academic Programs, Martha & Spencer Love School of Business, June 2025 to Current
Assistant Dean of Global Education, Elon University, 2022 to June 2025
Professor, Department of Economics, Elon University, 2021 to Current
Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Elon University, 2014 to 2021
Faculty Director, Business Dual Degree Program, Elon University, 2014 to 2022
Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Elon University, 2008 to 201
NON-ACADEMIC POSITIONS
Consultant, ACT, Iowa City, Iowa, October 2006
International Logistics Analyst, Lockheed Martin, Greenville, South Carolina, 2000-2004
Courses Taught
Disciplinary Courses:
Understanding Economics through Literature, Spring 2022
Labor Economics, Spring 2008-Current
Principles of Economics, Fall 2008-Current
Intermediate Macroeconomics, Spring 2015-Current
Economic Growth and Development, Spring 2009-Current
Undergraduate Research 2009-Current
International Business and Economics (MBA), Summer 2009
Interdisciplinary Courses:
Exploring Business and Culture in East Asia (Study Abroad), Summer 2016- 2019
Business, Culture and Microfinance in Chile and Argentina (Study Abroad), January 2016
Mediterranean: East Meets West (Study Abroad), January 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019
London’s Eye: Examining Urbanization (Study Abroad), Spring 2017
Argentina: Strategic Global Partnerships (Study Abroad), January 2013
Business and Culture of New Zealand (Study Abroad), January 2010-2011
Leadership Positions
Associate Dean of Curriculum and Academic Programs, Martha & Spencer Love School of Business, 2022 to Current
Assistant Dean of Global Education, January 2022 to June 2025
Faculty Director, Business Dual Degree Program, Elon University, 2014 to 2022
Faculty Advisor, Elon’s Microfinance Initiative, 2012-2016
Faculty Advisor, Elon Running Club, 2011-2015
Current Projects
“Studying the Impact of taking pre-requisites abroad,” with Jennifer Platania, Rob Springer, and Wonhi Synn.
Grants Awarded
Elon University, Post-Promotion Sabbatical, 2021 (Deferred)
Elon University, Post-Probationary Reassign Time Grant, Spring 2018
The University of Iowa Alumni Travel Grant, Spring 2016
Elon University, Sabbatical, Spring 2016.
Omicron Delta Epsilon Travel Grant, 2013.
Elon University, FR&D Research Grant, Fall 2009, Fall 2011, Summer 2012-2014
Elon University, Teaching and Learning Grant, Fall 2010
Elon University, Pope Foundation Undergraduate Research Scholar Award, Summer 2009
Elon University, Love School of Business Research Grant, Summer 2009
Elon University, Hultquist Award for Research, Summer 2009
University of Iowa Graduate College Travel Fellowship, Summer 2006, Summer 2007
University of Iowa Department of Economics Graduate Fellowship, Spring 2006
University of Iowa Graduate College Fellowship, Fall 2002-Summer 2003
University of Iowa COGS Tuition Scholarship, Fall 2002 - Fall 2007
Publications
PUBLICATIONS (Peer-Reviewed)
"Non-cognitive mismatch and occupational switching." With Stephen B DeLoach and Rebecca Sansale. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics 97, April 2022.
“Duration Matters: Separating the Impact of Depth and Duration,” with Neal Olitsky and Stephen B. DeLoach. Journal of Studies in International Education, 25:1, 100-118, 2021.
“Unemployment Duration and The Personalities of Young Adults Workers,” with Rebecca Sansale and Stephen B. DeLoach. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, 79:1, 1-12, 2019.
“On-the-Job Search, Mismatch and Worker Heterogeneity,” with Stephen B. DeLoach. Journal of Labor Research, vol. 39, Issue 2, pp 219-233, June 2018.
“The Buffet Critique: Valuing Long-Dated Options,” with Neeraj Gupta and Reilly White. Journal of Economics and Finance, vol. 40, Issue 3, pp. 524-537, July 2016.
“Does Content Matter? Analyzing the Change in Global Awareness Between Business- and Nonbusiness-Focused Short-Term Study Abroad Courses,” with Stephen B. DeLoach and Neal Olitsky. Journal of Teaching in International Business, vol. 26, no. 1, pp 1-27, 2015.
“Discouraging Workers: Estimating the Impact of Macroeconomic Shocks on Search Intensity of the Unemployed,” with Stephen B DeLoach. Journal of Labor Research, vol. 34, no. 4, pp 433-454, Dec. 2013
“Assessing Global Awareness over Short-Term Study Abroad Sequence: A Factor Analysis,” with Neal Olitsky and Paul Geis. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, vol. 23, pp 22-41, Fall 2013.
“Sexually Transmitted Infections with Semi-Anonymous Matching” (with Bryan Engelhardt and Philip Polgreen), Health Economics, vol. 22, issue 11, pp. 1295-1317, Nov. 2013.
PUBLICATIONS (Other)
“College debt: To lower defaults, link federal funds to grad rates [Editorial],” with Timothy Ferguson. The News and Observer, June 24, 2016.
“College debt: Adding ‘invest’ to the loan language [Editorial],” with Timothy Ferguson. The News and Observer, June 17, 2016.
“College debt: Battling the unintended results of policy proposals [Editorial],” with Timothy Ferguson. The News and Observer, June 10, 2016.
“Addressing the crisis of college student debt [Editorial],” with Timothy Ferguson. The News and Observer, June 2, 2016.
“Inventing a new way to deal with college debt [Editorial],” with Timothy Ferguson. The News and Observer, June 10, 2014.
“A Survey Paper: Topics in Economic Growth and Development,” Starting Point: Teaching and Learning Economics, Online Module on Undergraduate Research in Economics. http://serc.carleton.edu/econ/studentresearch/econexamples.html, March 2012.
Presentations
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
“Personality Mismatch and Occupational Switching” with Stephen B. DeLoach and Rebecca Sansale, 2020 Eastern Economic Association Annual Meetings, Boston, MA, February 2020.
“Know Your Audience: Using Pre-existing Norms to Overcome Curricular and Cultural Barriers to Study Abroad for Business Students” with Bill Burress and Karleigh Koster, 2016 CIEE Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA, November, 2016.
“On the Job Search and the Business Cycle” with Stephen DeLoach, Iowa Alumni Workshop, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, April 2016.
“To Reboot or Not to Reboot: An Investigation into the Benefits of Rebooting Movie Franchises” with Alexander Spitz, Eastern Economic Association Annual Meetings, New York City, NY, March 2015.
“On the Job Search and the Business Cycle,” Eastern Economic Association Annual Meetings, Boston, MA March 2014.
“Discouraging Workers: Estimating the Impact of Macroeconomic Shocks on Search Intensity of the Unemployed,” American Economic Association Annual Meetings, Omicron Delta Epsilon Session, San Diego, CA, January 2013.
“Assessing Global Awareness over Short-Term Study Abroad Sequence: A Factor Analysis,” NAFSA Southern Regional Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, October, 2012.
“Discouraging Workers: Estimating the Impact of Macroeconomic Shocks on Search Intensity of the Unemployed,” Southern Economic Association Annual Meetings, Washington D.C., November 2011.
“Directed Search as a Mechanism to Prevent HIV Transmission,” American Society of Health Economists Bi-Annual Conference. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, June 2010.
“Directed Search and the Inter-industry Wage Differential” Midwest Economics Association Annual Meetings, Chicago, IL, March 2010.
“New Observations Regarding Heterogeneity and the Inter-industry Wage Differential” Midwest Economics Association Annual Meetings, Cleveland, OH, March 2009
“Directed Search, Educational Choice, and the Inter-industry Wage Differential” Midwest Economics Association Annual Meetings, Chicago, IL, March 2008
“Directed Search and the Inter-industry Wage Differential” Iowa Alumni Workshop, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, May 2007.
“Directed Search and the Inter-industry Wage Differential” Midwest Economics Association Annual Meetings, Minneapolis, MN, March 2007.
“New Observations Regarding Heterogeneity and the Inter-industry Wage Differential” Midwest Economics Association Annual Meetings, Chicago, IL, March 2006.
Invited Presentation
“Challenges for the U.S. Economy,” Society of Financial Service Professionals Meeting, Greensboro, NC. (February, 2019)
“Macroeconomic Update of the U.S. Economy,” Society of Financial Service Professionals Meeting, Greensboro, NC. (February, 2019)
“Macroeconomic Update of the U.S. Economy,” 18th Annual Department of Accounting Continuing Professional Education Seminar, Elon, NC. (November, 2017)
“Labor Market Polarization” Universitá Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Pizacenza, Italy. (March, 2017)
“From Surviving to Thriving in the U.S. Labor Market,” Universitá Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Pizacenza, Italy. (November, 2015)
“Macroeconomic Update of the U.S. Economy,” 16th Annual Department of Accounting Continuing Professional Education Seminar, Elon, NC. (November, 2015)
“Polarizing Economics: Exploring the Effects of Increasing Inequality on Politics.” with Greg Lilly, 15th Annual Department of Accounting Continuing Professional Education Seminar, Elon, NC. (November, 2014)
“Discouraging Workers: Estimating the Impact of Macroeconomic Shocks on Search Intensity of the Unemployed” UNC-Greensboro (September, 2011)
“Discouraging Workers: Estimating the Impact of Macroeconomic Shocks on Search Intensity of the Unemployed” UMASS-Dartmouth (May, 2011)
“Current Labor Economic Situation,” Elon University Poll’s Workshop for Journalists and Reporters, Elon, NC, September 8, 2010.
“Directed Search, Educational Choice, and the Inter-industry Wage Differential” Clarence W. Tow Lecture, the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, October 2007.
Professional Activities
Journal Referee
Economics Bulletin, Referee, 2018-Current
Industrial and Labor Relations Review, Referee, 2015-Current
Journal of Labor Research, Referee, 2015-Current
Membership
American Economic Association Member, 2007- Current
Eastern Economic Association Member, 2009-Current
Council on Undergraduate Research Member, 2009-Current
American Society of Health Economists, 2010-2015
Southern Economic Association, 2011-2014
Midwest Economics Association Member, 2006 –2011
Conference Discussant
Eastern Economic Association Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, February 2020
Eastern Economic Association Annual Meeting, New York City, NY, February 2015
ASHEcon Biannual Meetings, Los Angeles, CA, June 2014.
American Economic Association Annual Meetings, San Diego, CA, January 2013.
Southern Economic Association Annual Meetings, Washington D.C., November 2011.
Midwest Economic Association Annual Meetings, Chicago, IL, March 2010.
Eastern Economic Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, February 2010.
Midwest Economic Association Annual Meetings, Cleveland, OH, March 2009.
Media Citations
Baumer, David. “‘Win-win’ student debt solution [Letter to The Editor],” The News and Observer, Letter to the Editor, July 1, 2016
BizEd, Article, “The Discouraged Worker Effect,” March 1, 2014.
WRAL, Interview, “NC says jobless rate down notch to 9.4 percent,” March 28, 2013.
Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Interview, “NC unemployment steady for third straight month,” July 26, 2012.
WFMY News 2, Interview, “Unemployment Rate Dropped, But That’s Not the Only Factor,” December 2, 2011.
Carolina News, Interview, “Economists find connection between stock market and job searches,” September 5, 2011.
WFMY News 2, Interview, “Housing Prices, Stock Market Affects Job Search,” September 2, 2011.
High Point Enterprise, Interview by Paul Johnson, “Rise in Corporate Earnings Fails to Add Jobs,” August 14, 2010.
News and Record Interview by Mark Binker, “N.C. Sales Tax Going Up on Tuesday,” August 31, 2009.
News 14 Carolina, Interview by Tim Boyum impacts of stock market on labor market, October 6, 2008.
UNDERGRADUATE MENTORING
Rodrigo Pires, Senior Thesis, 2018-2019
Calvin Mincer, Senior Thesis, 2018
Christian Reece, Senior Thesis, 2017-2018
Daniel Spiller, Senior Thesis, 2014-2015
Matthew Trogdon, Honors Thesis, 2014-2015
Nicholas Cianciara, Life Entrepreneur Program, 2013-2014
Maike Halamoda, Business Dual Degree Thesis, 2013-2014
Matthew Florian, Senior Thesis, 2013
Bethany Nibb, Senior Thesis, 2013
Thomas Whyel, Senior Thesis, 2013
Simone LaHood, Senior Thesis, 2012
Alexander Spitz, Independent Study, 2012
Andrew Garrison, Senior Thesis, 2011
Melissa Hunter, Honors Thesis, 2009-2010
Joshua Whanger, Pope Award, 2010
Clint Collins, Senior Thesis, 2010
Paul Chabai, Senior Thesis, 2010
Donald Clark, Senior Thesis, 2009
Joy Baxter, Senior Thesis, 2009
Garret Spikero, Senior Thesis, 2009
Service Activities
UNDERGRADUATE MENTORING
Charlie Wilson, Senior Thesis, 2020-2021
Maxwell Zucker, Senior Thesis, 2020-2021
Marina Thorton, Senior Thesis, 2019-2020
Danato Tempesta, Senior Thesis, 2019-2020
Rodrigo Pires, Senior Thesis, 2018-2019
Calvin Mincer, Senior Thesis, 2018
Christian Reece, Senior Thesis, 2017-2018
Daniel Spiller, Senior Thesis, 2014-2015
Matthew Trogdon, Honors Thesis, 2014-2015
Nicholas Cianciara, Life Entrepreneur Program, 2013-2014
Maike Halamoda, Business Dual Degree Thesis, 2013-2014
Matthew Florian, Senior Thesis, 2013
Bethany Nibb, Senior Thesis, 2013
Thomas Whyel, Senior Thesis, 2013
Simone LaHood, Senior Thesis, 2012
Alexander Spitz, Independent Study, 2012
Andrew Garrison, Senior Thesis, 2011
Melissa Hunter, Honors Thesis, 2009-2010
Joshua Whanger, Pope Award, 2010
Clint Collins, Senior Thesis, 2010
Paul Chabai, Senior Thesis, 2010
Donald Clark, Senior Thesis, 2009
Joy Baxter, Senior Thesis, 2009
Garret Spikero, Senior Thesis, 2009
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES
Global Education Curriculum Committee, At-large Member, 2019-2020
Student Perceptions of Teaching Effectiveness Study Abroad and Study Away Committee, Member, 2019-Current
Search Committee for Executive Director of the Koenigsberger Learning Center, 2019-Current
Second-language Study Committee, Member 2014-2019
Faculty Research and Development Committee, Co-chair, 2016-2017
Faculty Research and Development Committee, Member, 2015-2016
Undergraduate Research Committee, Member, 2009-2016
Search Committee for Director of Campus Recreation, Member, 2014-2015
Search Committee for Associate Director of the Center for Engaged Learning, Member, 2013
Center for Teaching and Learning Grant Selection Committee, Member, 2013
Distinguished Scholar Selection Committee, Member, 2012-2013
Diversity Subcommittee, Assessment, Member, 2010-2011
Gender Wage Research Committee, Member, 2009-10
Sustainable Research Fellowship Selection Committee, Member, 2010
SCHOOL COMMITTEES
Love School of Business Strategic Plan Steering Committee, 2014-2019
Love School of Business Strategic Planning Committee, 2013-2019
Love School of Business Core Curriculum Committee, 2014-2016
Love School of Business Sub-committee for Courageous Leadership, 2008-2009
DEPARTMENT COMMITTEES
International Economics Track/Major Sub-committee, Co-chair, 2017-2018
Economics Consulting Major Committee, Member, 2014-2015
Assistant Professor Recruiting Committee, Member, 2009, 2010, 2015
Assistant Professor Recruiting Committee, Diversity Advocate, 2009, 2010, 2015
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION COMMITTEES
Leverage the Network Committee, International Partnership of Business Schools, Member 2018-Current
OTHER SERVICE
Department of Economics Research Data Center, Founder and Coordinator 2009-Current
AKPsi Professional Development Panel Discussion, Invited Panelist, April 2019
Issues in Political Economy Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Conference, Faculty Assistant, 2011-2018
SURF Moderator 2010, 2012, 2018
Department of Economics Brown Bag Research Seminars, Founder and Organizer, 2009-2016
Elon’s Microfinance Initiative (EMI), Faculty Advisor, 2012-2016
RAWLS Fellowship, Reviewer, 2009-2016
SURE Summer Fellowship, Reviewer, 2009-2016
SURF Abstract Submissions, Reviewer, 2009-2016
ODE and EMI co-sponsored seminar by Dr. Shawn Murphy, Coordinator, 2015
Elon Running, Faculty Advisor, 2011-2015
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Faculty Workshop, Presenter, May 2014, October 2014
Poverty One Conference, Attendee 2012
Organize Economics Honors Student Faculty Meet and Greet, 2010-2011
Alpha Phi Omega, Faculty Advisor, 2009-2010
Winchester Court Homeowners Association, Board Member and Treasurer, 2010-Current
Awards
Dean’s Award for Exemplary Service, 2021