Former Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer ’95 To Speak at the Levy Economics Institute on September 16

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.—Bard College alum and former US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Commissioner Erika McEntarfer ’95 will give a lecture, “The Importance of Official Data in Assessing Economic Conditions,” on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 5pm EDT (UTC -04:00) in Olin Hall at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. In her talk, she will evaluate recent economic trends, including tariff impacts on price statistics, what we know about AI adoption by firms, measurement challenges facing economists today, and why BLS data remain the gold standard for assessing economic conditions.

After a tumultuous week that saw President Trump question the integrity of one of the most widely used government data sources, the Levy Institute is pleased to welcome the recently removed BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer (and Bard College alumna ’95), to a conversation about why data—and measurement in particular—matter for policy, markets, and our daily lives. Many of the Institute’s scholars rely on BLS data daily. Their frequency and methods are indispensable for our work. The Levy Economics Institute itself has contributed to BLS-commissioned research on measurement.

While the public may have learned of Ms. McEntarfer from the recent BLS shakeup, among economists she is known for her wide-ranging expertise and contributions as a professional economist who has worked particularly on issues related to economic measurement, data methodology, and workforce analytics. She has had a distinguished career, having worked under both Republican and Democratic administrations, from the Census Bureau and the Department of the Treasury to the Council of Economic Advisers and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Register here for in-person or virtual attendance. The event will be livestreamed via Zoom with the opportunity to ask questions online. About the Levy Economics Institute
The Levy Economics Institute of Bard College, founded in 1986 through the generous support of the late Bard College trustee Leon Levy, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public policy research organization. The Institute is independent of any political or other affiliation, and encourages diversity of opinion in the examination of economic policy issues while striving to transform ideological arguments into informed debate.
 
About Bard College
Founded in 1860, Bard College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences located 90 miles north of New York City. With the addition of the Montgomery Place and Massena properties, Bard’s campus consists of more than 1,200 parklike acres in the Hudson River Valley. It offers bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, with majors in nearly 40 academic programs; advanced degrees through 13 graduate programs; nine early colleges; and numerous dual-degree programs nationally and internationally. Building on its 165-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College has expanded its mission as a private institution acting in the public interest across the country and around the world to meet broader student needs and increase access to liberal arts education. The undergraduate program at the main campus in upstate New York has a reputation for scholarly excellence, a focus on the arts, and civic engagement. Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. For more information about Bard College, visit bard.edu.
 

This event was last updated on 08-26-2025

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