Dr. Elaine Tontoh, an economics instructor at Austin Peay State University (APSU), has received the 2024 Professional Development Grant for Underrepresented Minorities from the American Economic Association (AEA) and Pearson Education, amounting to $2,000. This prestigious grant recognizes her significant research on the "Triple Day Thesis," which provides a theoretical framework for understanding the multifaceted roles of mothers in the workforce. Tontoh’s research emphasizes the economic challenges posed by time as a scarce resource, particularly for mothers balancing reproductive labor, wage labor, and self-reproductive labor. Her findings may be featured in future Pearson textbooks, potentially influencing economics education on a broader scale.

The formal acknowledgment took place during the AEA's annual meeting, where her essay was recognized amidst a competitive pool from 66 organizations. Dr. Mickey Hepner, dean of the APSU College of Business, praised Tontoh for pushing the boundaries of economic education. This award highlights the growing contributions of APSU faculty to critical socioeconomic discussions. Tontoh's work not only enriches academic discourse but also offers insights that could inform policy-making for a more equitable workforce.