St. John’s Professor Increasing Global
Presence
In 1987, after a successful career in business that spanned
several disciplines, Igor Tomic, Ph.D., brought the breadth of his
extensive experience to St. John’s University. A Professor of
Economics and Finance in The Peter J. Tobin College of
Business, Professor Tomic not only provides his students with a
solid basis in theory, but teaches them practical skills that will
serve them equally well as they embark on their careers, including
interview etiquette, resume structure and effectively communicating
with colleagues.
Prior to teaching he worked in textiles, mineral and chemical
trading and consulted on energy issues, but always had a desire to
work in the classroom. Since his arrival at St. John’s, Dr. Tomic
has heightened the University’s global profile, organizing
conferences at home and abroad, enabling students and faculty to
share their scholarly research. His own studies in areas such as
privatization, dollarization and mergers and acquisitions have
earned him several awards including a Fulbright –Hays Award in
2000.
Dr. Tomic’s current research is focused on tax incentives to limit
migration. “I noticed that between 2000 and 2010 many people left
New York State to settle elsewhere, taking about $30 billion with
them. Professor Silliman and I wondered if a tax policy could slow
down the exit of those that retire (and those in pre-retirement) as
a significant amount of capital exits the state with them. This
migration has a negative impact on the local economy. By slowing
down the exit of people from one region we can modify the boom and
the bust cycle in their region of destination.”
Raising the Profile
Dr. Tomic has always stressed the importance of student engagement
and learning outside the classroom. As moderator of the Economics
and Finance Society for 20 years, he has helped organize several
professional events each year. Students are able to visit high
profile firms, attend lectures at the Federal Reserve and visit the
New York Stock Exchange, enabling many of them to network with
industry professionals.
As Academic Director of the Financial
Services Institute, he organizes an annual conference that
hosts researchers from around the world, allowing them to present
research papers for peer review. Dr. Tomic noted that he is proud
he has been able to promote the research done by St. John’s faculty
in places such as Rio de Janiero, Istanbul, Rome, Budapest and Cape
Town.
Dr. Tomic also serves as Editor of the peer-reviewed Tobin
College’s Review of Business, which accepts articles in all
business sciences, law and poverty issues that are both domestic
and international in scope. “These efforts have given the journal a
truly global intellectual perspective.”
Importance of Mission
Through the FSI, Dr. Tomic coordinated a business plan for the
Sisters of the Good Shepherd. “They shelter abused women in 40
different countries and give them employment, selling their good in
the U.S. We did a business plan for them and they were able to
expand, and their website exploded.”
Dr. Tomic observed that his students embrace the University’s
mission very quickly after arriving at St. John’s. “When they come
here at 17-18 they’re not sure if they belong. You have to motivate
them. Once you do the spirit of cooperation and support blossoms
and they become inspired scholars.”