黑洞社区

Jeremy Hill freely admits to being somewhat of a nerd.

And as director of Wichita State鈥檚 Center for Economic Development and Business Research 鈥� a role that includes constant analysis of statistics and data 鈥� it pretty much comes with the territory.

"People read novels. I read books about the economy," said Hill, who in May celebrated his one-year anniversary at 黑洞社区.

As interested as Hill is in economics, it wasn't something he immediately thought he could make a career out of. In high school, he took an economics class. He found it fascinating, but didn't see its practical purpose.

"I thought it was like story time," Hill said. "I told my father there was no way I鈥檇 ever get a job in economics."

Once in college, though, that all changed. He took another class, and the instructor was so good that it convinced him to major in the discipline. But the turning point, Hill said, was the internship he got at the Bureau of Business Research and Economic Development at Georgia Southern University.

鈥淭hat was the biggest life-changing event,鈥� said Hill, 33. 鈥淚t made the university life translate into the work life.鈥�

And that, he said, accelerated his career, allowing him to be as successful as he is at such a young age. Hill said he strongly believes in the importance of internships while in college and encourages students to seek them out. The real-world experience and ability to network with people in the industry is invaluable.

Looking ahead

Hill said he鈥檚 accomplished the goals he set for himself in his first year as director of the CEDBR. Now he鈥檚 ready to expand the center鈥檚 research to work more with statewide communities and governments.

Hill is the fourth director of the CEDBR. Each of his predecessors has been there about 10 years, a trend he hopes to continue.

He said what makes him a good director is his ability to know when to back off and let his staff do what they do best.

鈥淭he staff is very well trained, and I give them freedom to do good work,鈥� he said.

When not focusing on economics and research, Hill is at home with his wife and two children, Cecelia, 5, and Brennan, 3. He and his wife are also starting the process of adopting a child.

Hill鈥檚 hobbies include kayaking, hiking and sketching. While art is a passion of his 鈥� and an activity he said helps him be a better critical thinker 鈥� he鈥檚 happy with the direction he鈥檚 chosen.

鈥淚 think I鈥檝e been pretty lucky to go down the career path that鈥檚 suitable for me and that I really enjoy.鈥�