W&L Students Accepted into American Economic Association Summer Training Program

By Brian Laubscher
March 24, 2026

Washington and Lee University students Ayanna Moore '27 and Charlie Salome Sabines '28 have been accepted into the American Economic Association Summer Training Program (AEASP) hosted by the American University Department of Economics in collaboration with the Women's Institute for Science, Equity and Race and the U.S. Federal Reserve Board.

The prestigious program includes two months of intensive instruction from American University faculty and fellows, in addition to enriching real-world experiences unique to the nation's capital. Program members receive training in microeconomics, math, econometrics and research methods intended to prepare students for future participation in doctoral programs in economics or related disciplines. Participants will receive three academic credits per class and can earn up to 12 college credits.

This is the first time that W&L has had multiple students accepted into the program in the same year. Moore and Salome Sabines will receive an all-inclusive package that covers the program tuition, fees, living expenses, transportation, books and associated excursion costs. They will also receive a stipend totaling $3,250 upon successful completion of the program.

"Being accepted into the AEASP is a pivotal step toward building my career in political economics," said Moore, an economics and global politics double major from Williamsburg, Virginia. "With women making up less than 35% of economics Ph.D. students, and even fewer from minority backgrounds, this opportunity is especially meaningful. I'm deeply honored and grateful to join a community of exceptional economists and mentors."

Moore, who is currently studying abroad in Paris, will utilize the programming to strengthen her research skills and expand her network to continue studying economic intelligence and political economy.

"I would like to thank Professors [Chantal] Smith and [Shikha] Silwal for their guidance throughout this process and Professors [Jamie] Casey and [Michael] Anderson for creating learning environments that inspired my passion for economics," she said.

An economics major from Stafford, Virginia, Salome Sabines expects the program to help clarify the goals for his remaining two years at W&L.

"Being accepted into the program is the next step in discovering my personal pathway with economics, especially with regard to post-undergraduate options and careers," he said. "I hope to gain an understanding of what I want to pursue with an economics degree, and I would like to thank Professor Smith and Professor [Chong] Wang for their continued support, mentoring and help in exploring opportunities."

Established in 1974, the AEA Summer Training Program has increased diversity in economics by preparing talented undergraduates for doctoral programs in economics and related disciplines. AEASP enables students to develop and solidify technical skills in preparation for the rigors of graduate studies. As many as 20% of minorities who earned doctorate degrees in economics over the past 20 years are graduates of the program.

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