Title: Instructor
Company: George Mason University
Location: Washington, D.C., United States
Marvin M. Phaup Jr., PhD, instructor at George Mason University, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in economics and public policy.
With decades of experience to his credit, Dr. Phaup has established a successful career in economics and public policy. He has excelled as an instructor of economic analysis in public administration at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University since 2017. His experience also includes roles as research scholar and professorial lecturer at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at George Washington University from 2007 to 2020, director of the federal budget reform initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts from 2009 to 2010, head of financial studies in the budget process group at the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, senior economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, lecturer at Lancaster University, and assistant professor at Roanoke College. He has also dedicated his time to advancing public administration through his role as a fellow with the National Academy of Public Administration since 2015 and as a member of the board of directors for Public Financial Publications Inc. Laying a solid educational foundation, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics, graduating as salutatorian from Roanoke College in 1962, and both a Master of Arts and a PhD in economics from the University of Virginia.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Phaup’s passion for public policy led him to a pivotal realization early in his career that much of his understanding of public administration and policy formation was rooted in academic literature and research. This sparked a desire to gain firsthand experience in the field. While teaching at Lancaster University in England, he faced challenges in pursuing job opportunities in the United States due to geographic distance but remained determined to immerse himself in practical policymaking. Learning about the newly established Congressional Budget Office, founded in 1974, he seized the opportunity to join the organization, transitioning from academia to gain experience in the development and implementation of public policy.
In light of his impressive undertakings, Dr. Phaup has received numerous accolades, including an honorary Doctor of Laws from Roanoke College in 2014, the Roanoke College Medal in 2009, the S. Kenneth Howard Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management in 2004, and the National Distinguished Service Award from the American Association for Budget and Program Analysis in 1995. Additional honors include the Sesquicentennial Alumni Award from Roanoke College in 1992, the Wall Street Journal Award from Roanoke College, and a Hays-Fulbright Fellowship at the University of Oslo in Norway.
Dr. Phaup attributes his success to a deep understanding of the foundational principle of economics, which entails the reality of scarce resources relative to their beneficial uses. He emphasizes that the core objective of economics and public policy is to efficiently allocate these limited resources to maximize social benefits, with all other concepts and details revolving around this central idea. For aspiring professionals, he advises building a strong foundation in the basics, particularly the principles of scarcity and efficient resource allocation, as these are critical to success in the field. While he acknowledges the importance of equity and fairness, he focuses primarily on the efficiency of resource management, where his expertise lies.
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