Mary J. Lopez

Mary J. Lopez is a Professor in the Department of Economics at Occidental College. She holds a B.A. from UC Riverside and M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Her research focuses on labor economics, immigration policy, demography, and inclusive pedagogy. Lopez teaches courses including Principles of Economics, Labor Economics, and the Economics of Race and Gender.

• Education:
  • B.A., UC Riverside
  • M.A., Ph.D., University of Notre Dame

Lopez’s research examines how immigration policies affect immigrant integration, family dynamics, and community outcomes. She has published extensively on topics such as:

• Impact of immigration enforcement on education and political participation
• Immigrant detention and retirement behavior
• Demographic trends in Hispanic poverty
• Economics of migrant family reunification
• Anti-racist pedagogical approaches in economics

Her recent work explores the expansion of college-in-prison programs and their effects on incarcerated individuals’ reentry preparedness. Lopez is affiliated with the American Society for Hispanic Economists (ASHE) and the Committee on the Status of Minority Groups in the Economics Profession (CSMGEP). She also serves as a research affiliate for the enCOREage project at Stanford’s Center for Advanced Study in Behavioral Sciences (CASBS).

• Scientific Affiliations:
  • Chair, ASHE Awards Committee
  • Board Member, CSMGEP
  • Research Affiliate, enCOREage (CASBS, Stanford)

Lopez’s publications from 2016–2024 reflect consistent engagement with immigration policy, labor markets, and pedagogical innovation. Key themes include:

• Migration crisis management and child welfare
• Racial disparities in education and economic outcomes
• Entrepreneurship among marginalized communities
• Intersection of immigration enforcement and social policy