The Walker College of Business has named Dr. Renato Molina the inaugural Stephenson Family Distinguished Scholar at Appalachian State University. The professorship was created to support faculty excellence and to strengthen the college's ability to recruit and retain high-performing scholars, thereby advancing the college's mission through teaching, research and leadership.
Dr. Renato Molina
Molina joins App State’s faculty as an associate professor in the Department of Economics. He previously served as assistant professor of environmental and resource economics in the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science and Miami Herbert Business School. He also served as a faculty scholar in the university's Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy and is a research network affiliate with CESifo, an international economics research network based in Munich, Germany.
An internationally recognized environmental economist, Molina's research examines how people, markets, and institutions respond to environmental challenges. His work has addressed issues including climate resilience, hurricane forecasting, coastal adaptation, fisheries management, conservation policy, and natural resource governance. His work has appeared in leading multidisciplinary and field journals, including the American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Nature, and Ecological Economics.
Molina also brings to App State undergraduate and graduate teaching experience in environmental economics, environmental policy, and data analysis. He earned his PhD in Economics as well as master’s degrees in Economics and Environmental Science and Management from University of California, Santa Barbara.
The Stephenson Family Distinguished Professorship
Established through the generosity of the Stephenson Family, the professorship reflects a longstanding connection to the university across two generations. Six members of the Stephenson Family have earned App State degrees, including four graduates of the Walker College.
Professorships
Professorships are funded in part by generous donations from alumni and friends and often named in honor of significant benefactors to the college. To contribute to professorships in the Walker College, or to set up a new professorship in memory or honor of someone, please contact Executive Director of Development Kyle Allen, allenkb2@appstate.edu.
View the current holders of Walker College professorships at business.appstate.edu/professorships or view news of past appointments at business.appstate.edu/news/professorships.
Renato Molina
Renato Molina