Old Dominion University’s Strome College of Business wishes you a productive, successful semester filled with growth, learning and some fun, too. We hope your holiday break was exactly what you needed, and that you’re returning to your academic pursuits with a renewed outlook on your goals for the year ahead. 

Best of luck for spring semester 2025! 

Bruce McDonald, new director of the School of Public Service at the Strome College of Business 

Please extend a warm ODU welcome to Dr. Bruce McDonald, now a professor of public budgeting and finance and the new director of the School of Public Service at Old Dominion University’s Strome College of Business. 

He teaches master's and doctoral-level courses in public budgeting, financial management and research design. As a researcher on public and nonprofit management, he investigates issues related to government performance across a number of areas of social science research, focusing on how to improve government efficiency. McDonald has carried his journalism experience forward and published more than 100 articles and chapters in such outlets as The Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, Public Administration Review, American Review of Public Administration, Review of Public Personnel Administration, and The International Journal of Public Sector Management.

McDonald also directs the Municipal Research Lab, serves as the editor-in-chief of Public Administration,  co-editor-in-chief of Public Finance Journal, and as the general editor for both the Routledge Public Affairs Education Book Series and the Routledge Public Budgeting and Finance Book Series.

Prior to his academic career, McDonald served spent a number of years working on Capitol Hill, serving as a legislative aide to Senator Bob Graham and, later, to Representative Allen Boyd. McDonald received his B.A. in journalism from Mercer University (2003), his M.A. in peace and conflict resolution from American Military University (2004), a M.Sc. in economic history from the London School of Economics (2005), M.Ed. in training and instructional design from North Carolina State University (2020), and a Ph.D. in public administration and policy from Florida State University (2011).

Join the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy at ODU’s Strome College of Business for an insightful 2025 Annual Economic Forecast that focuses on the prospects for growth in 2025 and how new government policies and regulations may impact economic growth in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and across the nation. 

This timely event, hosted on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Chartway Arena, will feature Vinod Agarwal, Professor of Economics and Director of the ODU Economic Forecasting Project, and Robert McNab, Professor of Economics and Director of the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy in the Strome College of Business. They will share critical insights into the economic outlook for 2025.

The Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy at ODU’s Strome College of Business has established itself as the premier source for regional economic analysis and forecasting. For over two decades, the Center has delivered authoritative insights through its State of the Region Report for Hampton Roads.

For additional information about economic forecasts and prospects in Hampton Roads, the Commonwealth and beyond, check out the Center’s 2024 State of the Commonwealth report, released in December 2024. 

Save the date for the 30th anniversary of the Hampton Roads Real Estate Market Review & Forecast—a premier event that has become one of the largest and most respected real estate conferences in the region. For three decades, industry professionals have gathered at this event to gain valuable insights from top experts on the trends and challenges shaping the Hampton Roads real estate landscape.

The 2025 event is scheduled for March 11 at Chartway Arena. 

This year, we invite you to celebrate this milestone with us and embark on an in-depth journey through the current real estate market. Our distinguished speakers will present on the latest developments and insights across key sectors, including:

Multi-Family - Jake Marshall, The Breeden Company

Residential - Van Rose, Berkshire Hathaway, HomeServices RW, Towne Realty LLC

Retail - Doug Aronson, S.L. Nusbaum

Office - Nicole Campbell, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer

Industrial - Geoff Poston, Managing Broker, Senior Vice President

Gain expert perspectives on the most pressing topics in each area, empowering you with the knowledge to navigate the evolving market. Whether you’re a seasoned real estate professional or new to the field, this conference provides unparalleled opportunities to stay informed, make meaningful connections, and enhance your expertise.

Subscriptions may be required

The Virginian-Pilot

Hampton Roads businesses looking to brush up on their marketing skills can benefit from Old Dominion University’s Loyalty Science Lab. MORE >

WAVY

Old Dominion University’s 10th annual State of the Commonwealth Report reveals some good news about Virginia’s economy. MORE >

The American Spectator

China’s economy is currently facing a profound and multifaceted crisis that has captured global attention. Economically, this crisis stems from years of over-expansion in real estate, excessive debt, and supply exceeding demand.
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