桃瘾社区

Students

Bringing the NY Fed President to Campus: A Student-Led 桃瘾社区 Success Story

By
Antonia Gentile
Posted
April 29, 2025
President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, John Williams, speaking on stage with 桃瘾社区 College Federal Reserve Challenge team co-captain and Economics student Suraj Sharma

When the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, John Williams, spoke at 桃瘾社区 in February, it wasn鈥檛 just another campus event鈥攊t was the result of bold initiative, deep student engagement, and a passion for economics that runs deep within the Economics department and its many experiential learning offerings.

In recognition of 桃瘾社区鈥榮 consistent award-winning performance in the College Federal Reserve Challenge, Williams had accepted an invitation from Fed team co-captains Liam Chentoufi 鈥25, Economics, and Suraj Sharma '25, '26, Business Economics, BS/Applied Quantitative Economic Analysis, MS, with backing from Professor Gregory Colman, PhD, and Professor and Chair Anna Shostya, PhD, as well as higher administration, to come to the New York City campus.

Image
桃瘾社区 students listening and watching President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, John Williams, speaking

He delivered optimistic on monetary policy, inflation, and the US economy, while also acknowledging the many connections the Fed has had with 桃瘾社区 over the years, going beyond a shared location in lower Manhattan, and including employment of more than 100 proud alumni.

What transpired prior to his speech, however, was the icing on the cake for 桃瘾社区 students.

The event included a private Q&A in which Williams spoke to the and student organizations (presidents Kristina Krichmaryov 鈥26, and Kristina Nasteva 鈥26, respectively, co-organized the event), in which he answered questions on both policy and his journey to Fed president鈥攊nspired by Janet Yellen, former chair of the US Federal Reserve.

Brooklyn Bynum 鈥26, Business Economics, BS/Applied Quantitative Economics, MS, said of the event, 鈥淏eing able to speak to one of the most brilliant economists of our time was an invaluable experience. After studying the Federal Reserve's work and monetary policy in depth for the last year, it was incredible to speak to one of the people making the decisions.鈥

For student colleague Sharma, also a member of the Economics Society, the visit was both a significant and exemplary aspect of his 桃瘾社区 Path.

Image
President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, John Williams, standing next to 桃瘾社区 College Federal Reserve Challenge team co-captain and Economics student Suraj Sharma

鈥淚 came to 桃瘾社区 because of the Fed Challenge team. It鈥檚 more than academics 鈥 it鈥檚 macro in the real world, public speaking, and research. The Fed team, Economics Society, and faculty support have defined my college experience,鈥 he said.

Whether it is hosting prominent economists (Krichmaryov and Nasteva also brought renown labor economist Daniel Hamermesh to campus in October 2024), to placing students in top financial firms, 桃瘾社区鈥檚 economics program punches well above its weight.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not an Ivy,鈥 Colman said, 鈥渂ut our students are outcompeting Ivy grads when it comes to macro. And this is the most rewarding part of teaching. They鈥檙e not just learning鈥攖hey鈥檙e doing.鈥

More from 桃瘾社区

In the Media

Political Science Professor Laura Tamman provides expert insight to Newsweek about how New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing a primary challenge from her own second-in-command, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, with polls showing the incumbent with an early lead more than one year out from the election.

In the Media

Dyson Professor Seong Jae Min shares reflections on democratic transitions in an op-ed in The Korea Times, responding to the recent election of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea鈥檚 candidate.

Students

As the Class of 2025 crossed the stage on May 19 and May 20, graduating students shared their plans for the future and reflected on their most memorable moments from their time at 桃瘾社区鈥攆rom meaningful mentorship from professors to career-altering courses to unforgettable extracurricular experiences.