Professor of Economics Jim Palmieri plays many different roles at Simpson College. When he’s not traveling with students for a semester abroad, he’s here at Simpson teaching and serving as an adviser.

“I have taken numerous classes with him, senior Sarah Schlitter said. “He’s a great professor and I have always enjoyed his classes.”

Palmieri also serves as the director for the forum events that go on at Simpson.

“I went to a forum of his,” freshman Tasha Stark said. “He is super sarcastic but really nice.”

Along with his many roles, Palmieri is on the assessment working group which is working on ways the college can assess the adjustments that are being made to the curriculum.

The Chair of the Study Abroad Committee, Palmieri has seen his share of new places. In 2007, he spent a semester abroad with students in London. He recommends that every student spend at least one semester abroad.

“It was a terrific way to be immersed in another culture, and London is the most exciting city on earth,” Palmieri said.

In London there was always something going on. As the trip went on, Palmieri could see his students grow, mature and become more independent.

This coming semester, he will once again be going abroad. In mid-February he will be taking 17 students down to Rosario, Argentina.

Out of the many professors here at Simpson Palmieri stood out among the crowd, and received the Distinguished Faculty award in 2009.

“I was honored to receive the distinguished teacher award because I know there are many outstanding professors at Simpson who are deserving of the award,” Palmieri said. “I like to think that I received the award because in some way I made a positive impact on a Simpson student, and that impact was strong enough to encourage the individual to nominate me for the award.”