Profile for Lisa Vander
Contact me
Lisa Vander
Visiting Assistant Professor
Economics
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Lisa Vander
Visiting Assistant Professor
Economics
Specialty area(s)
I specialize in the areas of labor economics. I have a rich background in innovation, creativity, job creation and (social) entrepreneurship. Lisa's dissertation research analyzed the labor supply in La Crosse, WI. by higher education degree and by field of study. She used big data sets (quantitative analysis) to answer questions about what academic training the labor supply currently has in La Crosse, WI. and industry sectors where jobs could be created to more efficiently place college graduates in fields related to their academic training.
Lisa hopes to influence policy makers on how to allocate limited public investments to expand jobs that college graduates can directly move into after college.
Brief biography
Professor Vander is a serial entrepreneur. She has launched a national education company, that taught adults how to strategically invest in real estate to prepare for retirement. Lisa has a deep thirst for learning new things, especially as it relates to economic development, innovation, job creation and labor economics. She has been a lifelong learner and has a zeal for adventure. Her favorite moments are when she gets out on the open road with her truck, RV, dog and ride-along passengers. She has 5 grandkids and loves listening to how they "see the world opening up to them".
Current courses at UWL
Econ 110 - Microeconomics - Fall 2023.
Education
B.A. - Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA (Sociology, Anthropology)
M.Ed. - University of Idaho, Moscow, ID (Counseling and Human Services)
M.P.J. - Masters in Peace and Justice, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA (Economic Development)
DBA - St. Mary's University, MN, Minneapolis, MN (Doctorate in Business and Management - Specialization in Creativity, Innovation, Labor Economics and Economic Development
Career
Teaching history
Lisa has taught adults with her national company called Pacific Blue Investments. She designed curriculum and taught facilitators across the country. (2000-2008).
Lisa taught high school Business at Aquinas High School in La Crosse, WI. (2017-2018). She coached the business team to win the regional Western Wisconsin first place and placed third in all categories at State competitions.
Lisa has also taught young students at Prairie View Elementary in Holmen, WI. Her specialty was teaching youth about creating jobs that don't exist yet. (2018-2019).
Lisa worked with 114 inner city youth as director of an entrepreneurial summer program. 7 teachers and Lisa taught how to create sustainable jobs in resource lacking areas of Baltimore's Southwest inner city. She received a grant from the Governor's office to pilot a youth job creation generation program.
Lisa Vander was the executive director and master educator at Pacific Blue Investments. She designed adult curriculum to teach investors how to strategically invest and manage their real estate portfolios. (2000-2008).