Dr. Nancy Leigh Sowers

I joined the faculty at Berea College in 2015 after fifteen years at Georgetown College, where I taught economics and finance and advanced from Assistant Professor to Full Professor. I earned an A.B. in Economics from Sweet Briar College, including a junior year at Oxford University, and later completed both my M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics at Claremont Graduate University. In 2012, I earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

At Berea, I teach courses in personal finance, corporate finance, investments, and international finance. My goal is to help students develop the knowledge, judgment, and confidence to make thoughtful financial decisions—whether that means managing their own finances, pursuing careers in business or finance, or understanding the rapidly changing global economy. I believe the best learning happens in a close-knit community where students are challenged, supported, and encouraged to ask good questions.

One of the highlights of my career has been integrating the study of China into my teaching. Through a three-year faculty development program with the East-West Center in Hawaiʻi and repeated study programs in China with Berea students, I have developed courses that examine China’s economy, financial system, and growing role in the world. Understanding multiple perspectives prepares students to navigate an increasingly interconnected global marketplace.

Outside the classroom, I serve as faculty advisor to the Berea College Motley Fool Investment Club. The club gives students hands-on experience researching companies, discussing investment ideas, and managing a college-funded investment portfolio. Since its founding in 2017 with $100,000 in assets, the portfolio has grown substantially while providing students with valuable experience in long-term investing, teamwork, and financial analysis. Students from any major are welcome to attend meetings, ask questions, and participate in investment discussions.

Whether you are exploring finance for the first time or considering a career in the field, I hope you will stop by, introduce yourself, and discover the many opportunities available through Berea’s Economics and Business Department.