Bio

Scott Wallace, Ph.D., joined UWSP in 2000. He is a tenured full professor and teaches a variety of upper-level economics courses including Organizational Strategy, Economic Analysis of the Law, and Analysis of Macroeconomic Conditions for Business Leadership. He brings 10 years of business experience to the Sentry School where he held positions at General Electric, Nutmeg Steel Co., and People’s Bank. 

He has a B.A. in Economics from Drew University and has earned both a M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Connecticut. His dissertation, “Innovation and the Evolution of the American Film Industry,” is an economic/business history of the film industry from the 1890s to 1920. His areas of specialization include the economics of organization, industrial organization and economic history.

Before coming to UWSP, Wallace was a visiting assistant professor for one year at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn.  teaching Managerial Economics and Principles of Microeconomics. He also was an adjunct instructor at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., where he taught a master’s-level American Economic History class.

He currently serves as the director of UWSP’s Center for Business and Economic Insight. His research has been published in the Journal of Case Studies,  Journal of Economics and Economic Education Research, the International Journal of Economics and Social Science and the Journal of Management Policy and Practice.

Experience and Interests

Teaching Experience

• Professor, UW-Stevens Point (2012-present)
• Associate Professor, UW-Stevens Point (2007-2012)
• Assistant Professor, UW-Stevens Point (2000-2007)
• Visiting Assistant Professor, Gustavus Adolphus College (1999-2000)
• Adjunct Instructor, Trinity College (1998-1999)
• Instructor, University of Connecticut (1994-1998)

Research Interests

• Economics of Organization
• Economics of Innovation
• Industrial Organization
• Business History

Involvement

Campus

• Director and Editor, UW-Stevens Point, School of Business and Economics Center for Business and Economic Insight (2020-present)
• Chair, School of Business and Economics Diversity Task Force (2021-present)
• Faculty Representative, UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Search and Screen Committee (2020-2020)

Professional Memberships

• Member, National Association of Business Economics (2018-present)
• Member, Midwest Business Administration Association International – Academy of Business Economics (2001-present)
• Member, Wisconsin Economic Association (2001-present)
• Member, American Economic Association (1996-present)

Presentations and Publications

Butz, N.T., Wendt, E.B., Wallace, Scott, Mooney, C. (2025). Innovative Placemaking for Community Revitalization: The Journey from Blighted Mall to Thriving Downtown. Journal of Case Studies, 43(2), 51-55.

Wallace, Scott & Bahr, Kevin, Wisconsin Lenders Conference, “The 2026 U.S. and Wisconsin Economies,” University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point Continuing Education, Wisconsin Dells, WI. (May 15, 2025)

Neuman, K., Wallace, S. (2018). Do Defined Benefit Pensions Create Monopsony Power? Evidence from the American Labor Market. Journal of Economics & Education Research, 19(1), 1 – 18.

Fun Facts

Last book you read?

Straight Man: A Novel (1997) by Richard Russo

Best advice you ever received?

Pursue a Ph.D. in Economics from Professor Fred Curtiss (Drew University)

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Psychiatrist

Favorite Quote?

Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary. – Reinhold Niebuhr

One thing about your school that you are most proud of?

I am very impressed with the quality, integrity, and energy of our young faculty. Our MBA program is superb and one that uniquely meets the needs of the Central Wisconsin region.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I love the ability to connect with our students. I want to get them excited about learning.

A piece of advice for students in your school?

Early on, establish relationships with professors and take full advantage of advising and other resources available. Take ownership of your academic career.