Teaching

Instructor of Record

ECON 4350: Economics of Poverty and Public Policy
Fall 2024 | Enrollment: 44 students (75% first-generation college students)

Teaching Evaluation Summary | Syllabus | Teaching Statement

More on teaching evaluation summary


Teaching Excellence

Overall Rating: 4.6/5.0

Student Achievement of Learning Objectives: 4.8/5.0

Course increased ability to critically evaluate ideas: 4.8/5.0

Created an environment that helped students learn: 4.6/5.0

Course challenged students to think: 4.7/5.0

Student Feedback:

“Professor Yusuff put tremendous effort into finding material that enhanced our learning. He always looked to our preferences and made sure that we were heard.”

“Very knowledgeable in his field, lectures and explanations were clear. He was always open to questions and you could tell that he really wanted to make sure we understood the material.”

“I truly appreciated how he encouraged us to participate in discussions; he was always eager to hear our ideas and would challenge them further, helping us become more informed.”

Course Innovations: - Integrated hands-on data analysis using R and American Community Survey data

  • Connected theories to Atlanta neighborhoods (MARTA transit gaps, Atlanta Medical Center closure)

  • Implemented peer tutoring system with extra credit incentives

  • Provided flexible office hours (virtual and in-person) for working students

Impact Beyond the Classroom: - Two students gained admission to economics graduate programs with my recommendation letters

  • Mentored first-year PhD students preparing for comprehensive exams

  • Students applied course concepts to analyze poverty in their home communities

Teaching Interests

Micro/Macro Economics, Health Economics, Public Economics, Urban Economics, Development Economics, Applied Econometrics, Causal Inference, Statistics, Mathematics for Economics, Applied Economic Analysis for Policy. Contact: oyusuff4@student.gsu.edu

More about my teaching approach

I specialize in making complex economic concepts accessible to diverse student populations, particularly first-generation and working students. My experience spans core courses (Principles through Advanced Microeconomics) and specialized fields aligned with my research (Health, Public, and Urban Economics). I am developing innovative courses including “Economics of Health Disparities” and “Applied Economic Analysis for Policy” that bridge rigorous methods with real-world applications. Having taught 75% first-generation students with a 4.6/5.0 rating, I excel at maintaining high standards while providing multiple pathways to success.

Teaching Philosophy

More about my teaching philosophy

As a first-generation college student, I understand the transformative power of accessible and engaging education. My teaching approach centers on three principles: accessibility through relevance, active engagement through collaboration, and empowerment through mentorship. I connect economic concepts to students’ lived experiences, making abstract theories tangible through local examples and real-world applications. Having taught primarily first-generation and working students at Georgia State University, I’ve learned that students excel when they see themselves reflected in the material and when multiple pathways to success are provided.

Teaching Assistant

  1. Econ 8100: Applied Microeconomic Analysis (Graduate Level)
    Fall 2025

  2. Econ 4300: Economics of Cities
    Spring 2024 & 2025
    Featured in GSU News for innovative virtual exchange with Nile University, Egypt

  3. Econ 2100: Global Economics
    Fall 2022–Summer 2025 (multiple sections)

  4. Econ 2105: Principles of Macroeconomics
    Spring 2022

  5. Econ 4220: Environmental Economics and Policy
    Fall 2021

Teaching Certification

GSU Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Online Education (CETLOE)

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  • Completed Spring 2024

  • Training in inclusive pedagogy and evidence-based teaching methods