Rate My Professor Alexandra Nica

Alexandra Nica serves as Professor of Instruction in Economics and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Economics at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. She earned her PhD in Economics from the University of Iowa, along with an MA from the same institution. Her research interests encompass Behavioral Decision Making, Experimental Economics, and Public Economics. Nica is renowned for her exceptional contributions to teaching, having received the 2025 President and Provost Award for Teaching Excellence, the University of Iowa's highest honor for faculty teaching. She has also been recognized with the Tippie Collegiate Teaching Award and the Tippie Innovation in Teaching Award. Throughout her career at the University of Iowa, Nica has continuously innovated her courses to foster student motivation and engagement. She employs unique pedagogical strategies, such as leading macroeconomics students on field trips to the Stanley Museum of Art, where they analyze economic principles through artworks and complex graphs, demonstrating that economics permeates everyday life, including art. Nica adopts a scholarly approach to teaching and learning, engaging in Scholarship of Teaching and Learning projects that investigate the effects of different assessment types on student outcomes. Her methods effectively bridge theoretical economics with practical career applications, preparing students for professional success.

In addition to her academic roles, Alexandra Nica contributes to the First-Gen Student Success initiative at the University of Iowa as an Associate Professor of Instruction in Economics. She has shared her insights on public platforms, including an appearance on The Academic Minute in 2026, discussing how economics is evident even in artistic contexts. As a former concert pianist, Nica integrates her artistic background into her economics education, inspiring students to discover interdisciplinary connections. Her dedication to undergraduate education is evident in her leadership of the Economics undergraduate program, guiding students toward meaningful academic and professional paths within the Business & Economics faculty.