Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations Celebrates Amanda Chuan's Promotion to Associate Professor
Dr. Amanda Chuan
Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations (HRLR) is proud to announce that Dr. Amanda Chuan has been promoted to associate professor with tenure, effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Chuan is among the over 160 Michigan State University faculty members recognized this year for earning reappointment, promotion and tenure in acknowledgment of their outstanding achievements in teaching, research and service.
Since joining the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations in 2018, Dr. Chuan has established a nationally recognized program of research at the intersection of labor economics, workforce development, education, and behavioral economics. Her work examines how individuals and families make decisions about education and skill development, how labor market opportunities shape investments in human capital, and how social preferences influence cooperation and economic behavior.
"Dr. Chuan's promotion is a reflection of the exceptional quality, rigor, and impact of her scholarship, as well as her strong commitment to teaching and student mentorship," said Dr. Jason Huang, director of the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations. "Dr. Chuan has developed a distinctive and influential research program that brings economic insights to some of the most important questions facing workers, families, employers, and policymakers. Her work has advanced our understanding of human capital development, inequality, educational decision-making, and labor market behavior, while further strengthening HRLR's reputation as a leader in research and education."
Research and Scholarly Impact
In recent years, Chuan has continued to expand her research portfolio through collaborations with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and fellow economists. Her work examines how people respond to incentives when making decisions about education, careers, and prosocial behavior. By combining field experiments with rigorous economic analysis, her research provides evidence that can help organizations design more effective policies and programs to improve workforce participation, educational attainment and employee outcomes. Her scholarship has been featured in national media outlets including The New York Times, Scientific American, and Fortune.
Teaching and Service
Beyond her research accomplishments, Chuan is a dedicated educator who prepares students to think critically about the economic and behavioral forces shaping today's workplaces. Through her teaching and mentorship, she equips undergraduate and graduate students with the analytical tools needed to address complex challenges in human resources, labor relations, and workforce policy. Critical to her mentorship is her research lab, which involves undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students in every step of the research process.
Recognition of Achievement
Promotion to associate professor with tenure is one of the university's highest recognitions of a faculty member's sustained excellence. Faculty members undergo a rigorous review process evaluating their achievements in scholarship, teaching and service before promotions are approved by university leadership.
The School of Human Resources and Labor Relations congratulates Dr. Amanda Chuan on this significant career achievement and celebrates her continued impact on advancing research, educating future leaders and strengthening the school's mission of improving work and employment.