CBB 208
- (319) 273-2592
- lisa.jepsen@uni.edu
Lisa Jepsen
Professor of Economics
Education
Ph.D. (Economics) Vanderbilt University; M.A. (Economics) University of Missouri-Kansas City; B.A. (Economics) Grinnell College.
Teaching Interests
Principles of Microeconomics, Intermediate Microeconomics, Law and Economics, Managerial Economics.
Research Interests
Lisa researches in the areas of economic demography, labor economics, and law and economics. One focus of her research is on same-sex couples and the relationship between wages and sexual orientation. She has a recent article forthcoming in the Review of Economics of the Household with Christopher Jepsen entitled "Self-Employment, Earnings, and Sexual Orientation." She is currently studying the relationship between race and earnings in the NFL.
Professional Accomplishments
Lisa joined the Department of Economics in 2000 after teaching at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Rockhurst College, and Vanderbilt University. She also worked as a forensic economic consultant. She received the University Book and Supply Outstanding Teaching Award in 2004, the Class of 1943 Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2008, and the CBA Faculty Teaching Award in 2010. She is the winner of the Mid-West One UNIque Advising Award (2012-13) and the NACADA Outstanding Advising Award Winner in the Faculty Advising category. She has supervised several undergraduate research projects.
Latest News & Views

Is history on repeat? Former UNI student body presidents weigh in on the changes
Four former student body presidents and graduates from the College of Business Administration shared the highlights and struggles of their terms across four decades, illuminating along the way the universal struggles of the college experience and the unique challenges brought on by current events.

News bias? You choose the news you wish to consume
During election season, people love to accuse the media of bias. Liberals and conservatives assail local and national newspapers, as well as various television newscasts, of tilting in one political direction or another. Since it is unlikely that a news source can be biased in both directions, many people’s perceptions must be erroneous.

The complete guide to choosing a college major
College is an exciting time in your life, but don’t spend all four years merely enjoying it – you should take advantage of this time to determine exactly what you want to do with your life. This article will help you decide how to choose your college major that fits your long-term goals.

Is it ethical to demand that a small minority bear almost forty percent of the income tax burden?
You may have read that President Trump paid no federal income taxes for a few years. The press and rival politicians reacted with horror. Assuming President Trump accurately reported his income, losses, and other information, then there is absolutely nothing immoral or unethical about this result.

Scammers have not fallen victim to COVID-19
The COVID-19 epidemic has revealed that scammers are still alive and well. They nimbly offered nostrums to prevent or cure the virus to naïve buyers within a few weeks of the epidemic’s explosion. In doing so, the medical quacksters have lived up to their predecessors: let no health scare or new technology go to waste.

Moral hazard in the labor market
In the wake of the disruption in America’s economy, legislators on both sides of the aisle quickly rushed through palliatives for American businesses and workers. In doing so, they may have created situations rife with what economists call “moral hazard,” situations where the affected parties have disincentives to mitigate losses.