Dean B. Stansel is an Assistant Professor of Economics. He earned a Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University in 2002 and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Wake Forest University in 1991. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Stansel worked for seven years at the Cato Institute, a public policy research institute, in Washington, D. C. His research interests are in the areas of public economics, urban economics, economic growth, fiscal policy rules, and public choice.