In the News

News & Highlights

2025

November 2025
- KETK
  - Prices up, Production down: Turkey cost up 70% for the holidays: Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev comments on produce inflation.
- SFA News
  - SFA students learn side hustle tips from local business owners
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev's insight on liability vs. full-coverage insurance.
October 2025
- SFA News
  - SFA student investment portfolio grows to $2.73M
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Mark Scanlan's advice on today's best credit cards.
  - Dr. Beverly Mendoza's advice on starter credit cards.
September 2025
- SFA News
  - Three finance sophomores selected for 2025 The University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company Scholars program.
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev's advice on shopping for car insurance.
August 2025
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Mark Scanlan's advice on the easiest credit cards to get.
June 2025
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Beverly Mendoza's advice for organizing your spending budget.
  - Dr. Mark Scanlan's advice for comparing car insurance rates.
May 2025
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Rebecca Davis's advice on best car insurance companies on Texas.
  - Dr. Matthew Jaramillo's advice on the recent "loud-budgeting" trend.
March 2025
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Mark Scanlan's advice on credit card insurance.
  - Dr. Beverly Mendoza's advice to people considering a credit card.
February 2025
- SFA News
  - The 2025 Economic Impact Study shows SFA’s contribution to the Nacogdoches economy.
    - The university accounts for more than $348 million of local economic activity and supports 4,819 local jobs.
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Matthew Jaramillo's advice on comparing credit card benefits.
  - Dr. Rebecca Davis's advice on zero-based budgeting.
  - Dr. Matthew Jaramillo's advice on zero-based budgeting.
  - Dr. Mark Scanlan's advice on general budgeting.
January 2025
- SFA News
  - Research published by Dr. Rebecca Davis, associate professor of economics is cited in 2025 Economic Report of the President

2024

December 2024
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Beverly Mendoza recommends having at least one credit card, offering tips and warning of the biggest pitfalls.
November 2024
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Mark Scanlan discusses the benefits of having at least one credit card as well as issues surrounding access to credit and credit card safety.
- SFA News
  - SFA students explore banking and financial planning careers
October 2024
- WalletHub
September 2024
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Rebecca Davis shares the economic facts regarding why car insurance premiums vary by driver's age, gender and occupation
August 2024
May 2024
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Mark Scanlan breaks down several features to consider when researching business bank account options and two common mistakes to avoid.
  - Dr. Rebecca Davis explains what the terms of a credit card can indicate about the economy and offers tips for finding the best credit cards.
- SFA News
  - Economics and finance students receive awards from local financial institutions
April 2024
- WalletHub
  - David Kaiser, lecturer and director of the Chadwick Banking Program, and Dr. Matthew Jaramillo, lecturer and director of the Student Financial Advisors, offer advice for those with bad credit who are looking for a personal loan.
- SFA News
  - Kevin Carr, a 1992 finance graduate and owner of Community Beer Co. in Dallas, will be the speaker at the upcoming Rusche College of Business College to Career Conference keynote session
March 2024
- SFA News
  - SFA students explore careers for assisting people with their financial health
February 2024
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev offers advice on navigating decisions in looking for an installment loan while dealing with bad credit.
  - Dr. Mark Scanlan explains what people with bad credit should do when researching balance-transfer credit card offers.
January 2024
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Ryan Phelps shares considerations, pros and cons with regard to debt consolidation.

2023

December 2023
- SFA News
  - Center for Business and Economic Research internships provide opportunity for students work to improve economic development in East Texas
  - Banking program helps students launch careers before graduating
- WalletHub
November 2023
- SFA News
  - Members of the Economics Reading Group and participants in "Discovering Business in Costa Rica" study abroad course explore local business, Turner Fabrication, to general entrepreneurial ideas.
  - Dr. Matthew Jaramillo offers advice and insight into the best consolidation loans for bad credit.
October 2023
- SFA News
  - Student-led Economics Reading Group to host a discussion on entrepreneurship with finance graduate and Community Beer Co. owner, Kevin Carr '92.
  - SFA students explore 'soft skills' needed for banking, wealth management careers
September 2023
- SFA News
  - SFA students go abroad to explore businesses in Costa Rica
August 2023
- MoneyGeek
  - Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev explains how to find the best car insurance company for your needs.
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Mark Scanlan shares advice on high-yield savings accounts and mistakes to avoid.
June 2023
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Beverly Mendoza and Dr. Ryan Phelps offer insight into whether drivers should keep a totaled car, how to get the most from your insurance company, the most important thing you should do after your car is totaled and if you should consider extra insurance.
- SFA News
  - SFA students go abroad to explore business in Portugal
May 2023
- Moneygeek
  - Dr. Beverly Mendoza offers advice for first-time or newer cash back cardholders and discusses mistakes people make with credit cards and specifically rewards programs.
- SFA News
  - SFA economics and finance students receive awards from local financial institutions
April 2023
- SFA News
  - SFA students explore banking careers, receive industry insights
- WalletHub
  - Dr. Mark Scanlan discusses 0% APR credit cards
March 2023
- KETK
  - David Kaiser, director of the Chadwick Family Banking Program, offers advice in the aftermath of the Silicon Valley Bank crash
February 2023
- SFA News
  - SFA Economics Reading Group to host discussion with ‘An Economist Goes to the Game’ author
- Wallethub.com
  - Dr. Mark Scanlan responds to questions about cheap car insurance in Texas, and the impact a person's gender, age, occupation and education level can have on their premium.

2022

December 2022, Wallethub.com
- Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev talks about cities where inflation is growing the most and factors that impact inflation
- Dr. Beverly Mendoza explains why car insurance premiums increase and how you can lower your average cost
October 2022, SFA News
- SFA economics and finance professor weighs in on student debt forgiveness
October 2022, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Rebecca Davis discusses applying for a credit card, how terms of the card reflect the economy and the sustainability of reward credit cards.
- Dr. Mark Scanlan talks perks, discounts and advantages of car insurance options focused on military personnel
October 2022, SFA News
- SFA Economics Reading Group to host discussion with ‘The Voltage Effect’ author
September 2022, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev explains the U.S. market share of HSBC credit cards and reasons for their level of popularity
September 2022, KTRE-TV
- SFA Economics and Finance Department provides economic services in East Texas with new research center
September 2022, SFA News
- SFA launches Center for Business and Economic Research
July 2022, The Conversation
- Dr. Rebecca Davis discusses coal-fired electricity generation, including the gradual disappearance of U.S. coal power and the Supreme Court’s impact.
July 2022, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Beverly Mendoza discusses car insurance rates and the impact of credit history.
June 2022, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Mark Scanlan offers advice on getting a quick personal loan, including the difference between APR and interest rates and how rates can be lower than credit cards.
- Dr. Rebecca Davis explains balance-transfer credit cards, including how to find the right one
May 2022, SFA News
April 2022, SFA News
- Finance graduate, MBA student Stephan McLawrence recruited by Hajoca Corporation.
April 2022, Sawdust Magazine
- David Fabricant '93 finance alum, senior vice president and deputy controller of American Express discusses his career.
March 2022, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Beverly Mendoza explores the benefits of national versus local car insurance and lists the must-haves for coverage.

2021

October 2021, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Rebecca Davis offers advice for those considering a secured business credit card.
September 2021, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Mark Scanlan discusses starter credit cards, why they're offered and how helpful they are in building credit.
August 2021, MoneyGeek.com
- Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev discusses the factors and features you should look for when navigating auto insurance for teens and young drivers.
July 2021, CreditDonkey.com
- Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev on whether cryptocurrency is a reliable investment for retirement.
July 2021, WalletHub.com
- Who should purchase umbrella insurance, and how should they choose coverage limits? Dr. Mark Scanlan weighs in.
May 2021, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev offers advice and recommendations for individuals applying for their first credit card.
April 2021, SFA News
- Undergraduate student Rachel Rucker, mentored by Dr. Ryan Phelps, selected as top scholar for research paper discussing county level changes and the impact this had on predicting the 2020 election results
March 2021, Credit Card Insider
- Drs. Scanlan and Davis answer four key questions to consider when choosing a cash back credit card.
March 2021, MoneyGeek.com
- Liability-only car insurance can be risky. Dr. Mark Scanlan discusses what should dictate that decision.
March 2021, MoneyGeek.com
- Dr. Mark Scanlan shares how drivers should use the value of their assets when determining their car insurance coverage amount.
March 2021, KTRE-TV
- Chadwick Family Banking Program uses Commercial Bank of Texas's processing and submission of multi-million dollars in Paycheck Protection Program loans as case study.
Jan. 2021, MoneyGeek.com
- Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev writes about how often drivers should get new quotes, the major factors they should consider when comparing car insurance companies and why insurance quotes vary by location.

2020

Nov. 2020, MoneyGeek.com
- Dr. Mark Scanlan provides advice on how individuals can safely navigate and purchase auto insurance online.
Oct. 2020, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Mark Scanlan on different types of rewards credit cards and the best versions for cardholders' needs.
Oct. 2020, MoneyGeek.com
- Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev writes about the quality of low-cost car insurance, how drivers can lower their car insurance cost and how to fit the expenses into a budget.
July 2020, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev on how credit cards impact the economy's health and credit card interest rates.
May 7, 2020, online, Extra Points with Matt Brown
- Dr. Stephen Kosovich on oil prices and effects on universities' sports programs.
April 2020, CBS19-Tyler
- Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev on unemployment and jobless claims data.
April 2020, SFA News
- Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev on COVID-19 and its effects on the economy.
February 2020, KTRE-TV
- Dr. Stephen Kosovich on oil prices.

2018

Nov. 2018, KTRE-TV
- Dr. Rebecca Davis on gas prices and job losses in oil and gas.
Oct. 2018, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Mark Scanlan on fair-credit credit cards.
Sept. 2018, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev on the Federal Reserve rate hikes for 2018.
Sept. 2018, Sawdust Magazine
- Dr. Mark Scanlan offers tips on avoiding bad credit.
March 2018, WalletHub.com
- Dr. Mark Scanlan discusses the attainment of unsecured credit cards by people with bad credit.

2017

Aug. 2017, The Pine Log newspaper
- Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev interviewed about the faculty-led study abroad program to Hong Kong.

Contact the Department of Economics and Finance

Call: 936.468.4301
Fax: 936.468.1447
Visit: McGee Business Building, Suite 303
ecofin@sfasu.edu
Faculty Directory

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 13009, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, Texas 75962