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Visible Hands in Economics

group photo of VHE students

What is the VHE program?

The VHE Program (Visible Hands in Economics) was introduced in 2018/19 and is designed to create a welcoming, inclusive environment in introductory economics. The program is responsible for many of the traditional TA roles, including hosting section-specific clinics and grading. 

In addition to section-specific clinics, the VHEs host a weekly study-hall open to all students in introductory economics.  VHE study halls create a space for students to work on problem sets, solidify economic concepts, and meet with other students interested in economic issues. VHEs are in attendance at each study hall to help introduce students to the discipline, including working with students on course content and sharing ideas and strategies for getting the most out of introductory economics. Further, VHE study halls may provide a valuable venue for information about other economics courses, majoring in economics, and internship and job information.  The Study Halls provides pizza and drinks.  All econ 1 students are welcome! 

2023-2024 VHE Study Hall time and location: 7-9pm, Wednesday, Kohlberg 302. 

Fall 2023 VHEs

Jackie Crowley '24

Jackie Crowley '24

  • Majors: Economics and Biology
  • Economics Courses Taken: Intro to Economics , Intro to Econometrics, Intro to Macroeconomics, Behavioral Economics, Intro to Microeconomics, Health Economics, Industrial Organization
  • Favorite thing about economics: I enjoy seeing the role that economics plays in the creation of public policy that influences the medical and pharmaceutical industries.
  • Interesting fact: I play field hockey at Swarthmore and am an avid reader!
Mitiana Desarmes '26

Mitiana Desarmes '26

  • Major/minor: double major in economics and bio, on the pre-med track
  • Econ Classes Taken: intro to economics, health economics, Historical Topics in Economics
  • Favorite Thing about Economics: I like how economics is not always about the right or wrong answer. Sometimes your answer could be different than someone else’s but still considered correct because of different accounted circumstances. 
  • Fun Fact: I like to play pop songs on the saxophone.

 

Enoch Li '26

Enoch Li '26

  • Major: Honors major in economics and honors minor in political science 
  • Economics courses taken: AP Macro/Micro (waived Ec1); Intro to Econometrics (Ec31); Markets, Efficiency, and Distributive Justice (Ec13); Financial Accounting (Ec33); Intermediate Macroeconomics (Ec21)
  • Favorite thing about economics: I love that economics can be so broad that there are tons of different subfields. I really don't think there's a one-size-fits-all approach to studying it—there's a place for everyone in the department! 
  • Interesting fact: I've been a huge penguin lover since I was 7
Maya Levine '26

Maya Levine '26

  • Majors: Political Science and Economics
  • Economics Courses Taken: Introduction to Economics, Topics in Economic History
  • Favorite Thing About Economics: Economics allows us to understand and explain phenomena studied by other disciplines from a unique and important perspective.
  • Interesting Fact: I'm originally from Wilmington, Delaware, POTUS's hometown!
Ben Kendall

Ben Kendall

  • Majors: Global Studies: Global Politics, Spanish
  • Economics Classes taken: Econ 1, Law and Economics
  • Favorite thing about economics: it encourages careful accounting of possibilities and approaching problems in new ways.
  • Interesting fact: I have a three legged cat at home.
Sidra Muhammadi '26

Sidra Muhammadi '26

  • Majors/Minors: I am hoping to pursue a double major in Economics and Psychology. 
  • Economics courses taken: Introduction to Economics and looking to take Micro Economics and Introduction to Econometrics this semester. 
  • Fun Fact: Sometimes I'm asleep for more hours than i’m awake for.
Lauren Robson

Lauren Robson

Hi! My name is Lauren and I’m a sophomore from Los Angeles. I’m majoring in economics with a minor in psychology. I’ve taken an introduction to economics and financial accounting. In this upcoming semester, I will be taking intermediate microeconomics with Professor Remer. I am drawn to the study of economics because it creates a framework to understand social inequalities and systemic patterns, which provides the foundation to bring forth meaningful change. One fun fact about me is that I recently received my scuba diving license! 

Kieron Pereira

Kieron Pereira

I'm Kieron, a sophomore from Hong Kong. Right before college, I served in the Singaporean Army, as part of a national service requirement (I'm Singaporean by birth). I enjoy playing soccer, reading, and am pretty decent at pickleball too! I'm extremely excited to be joining the VHE team this semester, and getting to meet tons of new people.

Sebastian Rodriguez '25

Sebastian Rodriguez '25

Hello! I am Sebastian. I am a Junior (Class of 2025) and will be double majoring in Economics and Mathematics. This will be my second semester as a VHE. What I appreciate the most about Economics is its interdisciplinary nature, as it incorporates many aspects of different subjects such as math and history. I have taken Intro to Econ, Topics in Economic History, Intro to Econometrics, Intermediate Microeconomics, and Intermediate Macroeconomics. I am also the vice-president of the men’s rugby team (sign-up or let me know if you're interested).

Shangze(Frankie) Li '26

Shangze(Frankie) Li '26

  • Major: Economics and Math(intended)
  • Economics Course Taken: Introduction to Economics, Intermediate Microeconomics, Econometrics 
  • Favorite Thing about Economics: I love Econ because it provides a unique way to view and understand this world.
  • Interesting Fact: I'm a stamp collector.

 

James Wang

James Wang

  • Majors: Math + Econ
  • Econ courses taken: Intro to Econ (001), Topics in Econ History (008), currency taking Intermediate Micro (011) and FInancial Accounting (033).
  • Interests: I like playing NBA2K and eating hotpot. 

 

Macie Mangini

Macie Mangini

  • Major Minor: Undecided but planning to double major in Economics and Computer Science
  • Economics Courses Taken:  Introduction to Economics and Introduction to Econometrics 
  • Favorite thing about economics:  My favorite thing about economics is the various applications to the real world. Once you build your economic foundation at Swarthmore, you will be able to analyze economic concepts and relationships that occur way more often than you think. 
  • Interesting fact: I play for Swarthmore’s Women’s Soccer team! Go Garnet!

 

Gabriella Marchese

Gabriella Marchese

  • Majors: Double major in Economics and Neuroscience
  • Economics Courses Taken: Intro to Econ (001), Health Economics (075)
  • Favorite thing about economics: I love learning concepts that can be applied to real life to understand how the world flows together, specifically in the healthcare industry  
  • Interesting fact: I’m left-handed

 

Yang Liu

Yang Liu

Yang here! Greetings from a future BIG lawyer. I am a Sophomore and plan to double major in Economics and Arabic. Economics classes I have taken include ECON 013 Market and Efficiency and ECON 042 Law and Economics. Nice to meet you all!

 

Michael Maturana

Michael Maturana

Hey y’all! My name is Michael Maturana ‘24. I am a biochemistry and economics double major from the Bronx in NYC. Economics gives us plenty of perspectives from which to approach these real-world issues so I am super excited to continue working as a VHE this semester. Feel free to get a touch if you have questions or would like to chat!