PhD in Economics

Preston Cooper, 2023

Preston Cooper

Describe your dissertation, thesis, or capstone (if you completed one):

My dissertation explores the role of human capital in a historical perspective, by linking various historical institutions of human capital formation to measures of economic development. I examine universities in medieval and early modern Europe, the apprenticeship system in Industrial Revolution-era England, and land-grant colleges in late 19th century America.

How did you choose your specific area of study?

For most of my career, I've worked on higher education policy at various DC-area think tanks. I'm interested in how societies create and transmit human capital. I'm also a history enthusiast, so my dissertation at Mason gave me a great opportunity to combine those two areas of interest.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

I learned some new skills which I'm sure will come in handy down the road, especially how to do spatial analysis in R.

Of which accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud?

Finishing my dissertation!

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?

I'm grateful to Professor Noel Johnson for his mentorship, first as a professor in several classes and later as my dissertation advisor.

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students?

A PhD is essentially an apprenticeship. You're here to learn by doing. Think about what sorts of skills you'll need in your future career, and then find projects that will allow you to practice and perfect those skills.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

I'm going to continue my role as a senior fellow in higher education policy at the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, a think tank. In the long term, I'd like to continue conducting research into the economics of higher education that's accessible and relevant for students, parents, policymakers, and other stakeholders.