Competitions
Federal Reserve Challenge
The Federal Reserve Challenge, which has regional and national rounds, prompts teams to analyze current economic trends and present suggestions to the Federal Reserve, giving students real-life experience with national and international challenges, analyzing and presenting data, and working with professionals in the field of economics.
national titles
Pace Fed Challenge national winners are women
national title winners from Pace landed jobs with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York after graduation
Spotlight: Suraj Sharma
Suraj Sharma '25, '26, Co-Captain of the Federal Reserve Challenge Team, reflects on his memorable experience meeting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, the skills he’s gained through the Fed Challenge, and why Pace was his top choice for college.
Benefits
Being involved with our Pace Federal Reserve Challenge Team has its advantages. Many team members have landed high-powered jobs and launched successful careers in economics and its related fields with well-known companies like Federal Reserve Bank of New York, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Citibank, New York Life, and ESPN.
(Photo credit: Anna Shostya, PhD)
Our National Title Winning Teams
Fed Challenge News Archive
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- Pace University Students Win Record-Breaking Fifth National Title at Federal Reserve College Challenge (Pace Press Release)
- Pace University Students Win Record-Breaking Fifth National Title at Federal Reserve College Challenge (AMNY)
- Federal Reserve Announces College Fed Challenge Winners (Federal Reserve Press Release)
- College Students Have Advice for Jerome Powell (Axios)
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- College Students as the Fed (Axios)
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- Pace Team Wins Fed Challenge (Westchester & Fairfield County Business Journals)
Fed Challenge Contact
Department Chairperson
Fiscal Challenge
This team gives students the opportunity to compete with other schools and test their knowledge of fiscal policy, the US economy, and the role of the federal government in smoothing business cycles.
Why the need for a Fiscal Challenge?
A proper understanding of fiscal policy will help our students grow as scholars, become more informed citizens, and possibly become policymakers themselves. The Fiscal Challenge hosts an annual competition wherein teams of students from around the country devise and defend their own plans for putting (or keeping) the U.S. on a sustainable fiscal path.
The requirements for competing in the Fiscal Challenge are:
- Form a team with your classmates
- Work during the semester to write a detailed plan to achieve the policy goal for the competition
- Send the plan to our review board
- Finalists are selected
- Present and defend your plan in front of the expert policy analysts from top think tanks
We used [the competition] as an opportunity for a deeper bonding experience and a chance to see how fiscal policy can not only help the United States remain on a sustainable fiscal path, but help the most vulnerable among us.
—Brooke Jefferds ’20
Fiscal Challenge Contact
MS Program Director
EconHack
Now in its fourth year, the EconHack combines rapid problem-solving (“hack”) with a dynamic, team-based policy case competition. Participants receive a policy prompt and have just 24 hours to develop innovative solutions addressing 2–3 specific concerns, showcasing their strategic thinking and collaboration skills.
Competition Structure
Teams are provided background information and initial data but must conduct in-depth research to develop policy solutions supported by robust data, including graphs and tables. Teams are randomly formed, ensuring each includes at least one upper-level student experienced with data analysis. This year’s EconHack featured eight teams of six participants each—our most active and successful competition yet!
Hacks and Winning Presentations
EconHack Contact
Director