Laura Connolly

Laura Connolly is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Michigan Technological University's College of Business. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Alabama and a BA in Mathematics/Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her applied microeconomics research examines labor market outcomes, public policy impacts, and gender disparities in management.

Dr. Connolly's research focuses on labor supply dynamics, demographic economics, and regional economic analysis. She investigates how policies affect workers and firms, with current work on women's underrepresentation in leadership positions. Her funded projects include economic impact studies of Michigan's Upper Peninsula regions.

Recent publications show strong focus on labor economics and public policy analysis. Her 2023-2025 articles examine healthcare policy impacts on labor mobility, gender wage gaps in public administration, and methodological advances in economic impact measurement.

Awards include the Faculty Reassigned Time Award (2024-25) and Outstanding Dissertation Award (2019). She has received six Top 10% Teaching Evaluations for courses in Economic Decision Analysis, Microeconomic Theory, and Labor Economics.

As faculty advisor for Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and Breakwater Federal Credit Union committee member, she supports student development. She mentors through McNair Scholars and SURF programs, and serves on dissertation committees for Environmental Policy and Civil Engineering candidates.