Dr. Rachel Marie Brooks Atkins is an Associate Professor of Economics and the Reed-McDermott Endowed Professor at St. John's University's Tobin College of Business, where she applies a stratification economics lens to examine the roots of economic inequality. Her work explores how systemic and structural factors shape disparities in entrepreneurship, wealth, and labor markets, with a heavy focus on the intersections of race, innovation, and high-technology industries. She investigates complex issues such as racial discrimination in lending, the economic impacts of Opportunity Zones, and the representation of marginalized groups in the modern gig economy and tech sector. Her peer-reviewed scholarship has been featured in top academic journals and covered by the popular press. She has drawn financial support for her research from the Russell Sage Foundation, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and the Policy Academies. 

In the classroom, Dr. Atkins teaches Principles of Microeconomics, Public Finance, and the Economics of Race, challenging students to think critically about how economic forces impact society. 

Beyond her role at St. John's University, Dr. Atkins serves as the Director of Civic Education with Pray March Act, a civic discipleship organization that equips New York City Christians to recognize injustice, pray together, and take faithful action.

 Before joining St. John's University, Dr. Atkins completed the Provost's Postdoctoral Fellowship at New York University's Stern School of Business. She earned her Ph.D. in Public and Urban Policy from The New School, an MPA from New York University, an MGA from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. in Economics from West Chester University. 

Though she is a Philadelphia native, Dr. Atkins resides in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two sons. She enjoys rooting for Philadelphia sports teams (Go Birds!), playing tennis, volunteering with her church, and riding her bike with her family.