Nazarian Business & Economic Review: Empowering the Next Generation of Business Leaders
The Nazarian Business & Economic Review is a student-driven initiative at CSUN that provides a platform for academic publishing, financial literacy and industry engagement. Through NBER, students can publish articles in its undergraduate, peer-reviewed academic journal; attend financial literacy classes and industry seminars; and engage in meaningful discussions that shape the future of business with fellow students.
Redefining Business and Economic Engagement at CSUN
Nareen Arisian, a senior at Nazarian College studying financial analysis with a minor in quality management assurance, founded NBER in early 2025 to enable students to transform their academic knowledge into real-world experiences.
“Students spend years analyzing financial systems, debating economic theories and scrutinizing business strategies, yet many never test their relevance beyond textbooks and lecture halls,” says Arisian. “I wanted to create a space where students don’t just absorb knowledge but actively engage with it, apply it and contribute to real conversations shaping the business and economic landscape.”
Nazarian College Finance Professor Yanbo Jin is the faculty advisor for NBER.
What NBER Offers
A Platform for Student Research and Publishing
NBER provides a peer-reviewed platform where students can publish their work, ensuring their ideas are not only recognized but also contribute to meaningful discussions and reach a broader audience. By contributing their research to NBER, students gain hands-on experience in academic writing, research methodology and critical analysis.
Covering a wide range of topics, from financial markets and economic policy to corporate strategy and governance, the journal offers students a space to apply their knowledge to real-world events and drive conversations that extend beyond the classroom.
Below are a few examples of recent student research:
- What 2008 and 2020 Taught Us about the Federal Reserve’s Crisis Playbook
- The Future of Student Loan Policies Under the New Trump Administration
- Lebanon’s Economic Collapse: Is Recovery within Reach?
- How User-Generated Content (UGC) is Reshaping Digital Marketing
Financial Literacy: Filling Gaps in College Education
Despite its importance, financial literacy remains largely absent from college curriculum. Many students graduate without a clear understanding of how to budget, invest, manage debt or plan for long-term financial security. NBER’s financial literacy workshops equip students with the knowledge and confidence to take control of their finances. These workshops break down financial topics into practical lessons that students can apply, covering concepts such as budgeting, credit management and long-term wealth building.
“By integrating financial literacy into its mission, NBER ensures that students graduate not only with a strong academic foundation but also with the skills necessary to navigate personal and professional financial challenges,” says Arisian.
How Students Can Get Involved
NBER does not hold regular weekly or monthly meetings but operates primarily as an online platform, providing access to research publications and financial literacy resources. Financial literacy workshops and other events are announced on social media and the NBER website. Leadership opportunities are available through the executive team where members play a direct role in shaping the organization’s impact and future growth.
There are no membership dues, and all students are welcome, regardless of major or experience.
NBER Operations Executive Kaitlyn Gilbreth says, “I joined the Nazarian Business & Economic Review because I believe in its mission of promoting transferable knowledge, accessible information and collaborative opportunities—values that resonate deeply with my own.”
Explore articles, attend events, submit research or learn more about leadership opportunities at www.csunnber.com.
Similar organizations at other colleges/universities:
- Business Review at Berkeley: UC Berkeley’s leading undergraduate business journal, offering students a platform to discuss and analyze contemporary business issues.
- Berkeley Economic Review: The University of California at Berkeley’s undergraduate, peer-reviewed, academic economics journal.
- Ivey Business Review: Managed by undergraduate students at the Ivey Business School, this publication focuses on business strategy and provides actionable recommendations for businesses and industries.
- The Developing Economist: Edited at the University of Texas at Austin, this journal publishes undergraduate research in economics, finance, and public policy.
- Issues in Political Economy: Co-edited by undergraduates at Elon University and the University of Mary Washington, this journal supports quality undergraduate research in all areas of economics.
- Stanford Economic Review: Stanford University’s undergraduate economics journal, accepting research papers and commentaries from all fields related to economics.
- Columbia Economics Review: Founded in 2009, this is Columbia University’s undergraduate economics journal, promoting discourse and research at the intersection of economics, business, politics, and society.
- The Penn Journal of Economics: A semi-annual, peer-reviewed publication for undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania, covering a variety of economic research topics.
To learn more about NBER, including how to join and submit research, visit its website.