Steve Nivin, Ph.D.

• Ph.D., University of Texas at Dallas
• M.A., University of Texas at Dallas
• B.A., Austin College

Steve Nivin is Associate Professor of Economics and Chair of the Economics Department at St. Mary’s University. He teaches Introduction to Macroeconomic and Microeconomic Theory, Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory, Econometrics, Mathematical Economics, Money and Banking, Urban Economics, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and Environmental and Natural Resource Economics.

Nivin’s research focuses on various regional economic development issues, creative economy development, the economics of arts and culture, economic inequality, complexity/network economics, public policy analysis and environmental economics. He is often asked to speak on various economic issues and is regularly interviewed by the media for his insights on the economy and public policies. He also serves as Director of the SABER Research Institute at St. Mary’s.

Before going to his current position, Nivin served as Chief Economist and Industry Development Manager for the City of San Antonio for over six years where he created and grew the economic research unit at the City, managed the City’s economic development incentives program and led the programs related to the development of the technology and creative industries in San Antonio. While in this position, he worked closely with The Cultural Planning Group on the integration of economic development strategies into the cultural plan for San Antonio. This was the first cultural plan to integrate economic development strategies. Nivin was also integral in getting the creative industry included in the economic development incentives program at the City of San Antonio. He has also held positions at USAA and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas where he was responsible for the market and economic analysis required to support the business development of the respective companies and served on industry-wide teams focused on the review and drafting of public policy.

Nivin currently serves on the Board of Directors and Advisory Groups for several local non-profits. He received his Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Economy from the University of Texas at Dallas and his B.A. in Economics from Austin College.