A Canisius University alumnus whose work brings clarity to the ever-changing housing market is stepping into a new leadership role in academic research.
Kevin C. Gillen, PhD, has been named the inaugural Principal Research Fellow at the Wilbur C. Henderson Real Estate Institute within Drexel University’s Bennett S. LeBow College of Business—an appointment that underscores his reputation as a leading urban economist and housing market analyst.
In this role, Gillen will continue producing his widely followed quarterly housing reports, helping to illuminate economic conditions and trends across the Philadelphia region. His insights are regularly sought by policymakers, real estate professionals and media outlets looking to better understand the dynamics shaping today’s housing market.
Discovering Economics at Canisius
Gillen arrived at Canisius from the small Western New York town of Holland with interests in politics and global affairs. “I actually started out as a dual international relations–economics major,” Gillen explained. “But the more classes I took, the less enchanted I became. Instead, I was increasingly drawn to economics for its mathematical discipline and intellectual rigor.”
When the Cold War ended and globalization became a dominant topic, Gillen focused fully on economics and added a mathematics minor, graduating in 1994 from the All-College Honors Program at Canisius.
Canisius Mentors Who Shaped His Career
While his career has taken him beyond Western New York, Gillen noted that the professors he encountered at Canisius have had a lasting influence on his academic and professional direction. “I can say without reservation that I would not be where I am today without my economics professors,” he said. “Their emphasis on facts and disciplined thinking has stayed with me throughout my career.”
Gillen credited several current and former Canisius faculty members who helped shape his development:
- Terrence McDonough, who introduced him to micro- and macroeconomics
- Mark Zaporowski and Daniel Falkowski, PhD, who taught him finance
- Peter Cashel-Cordo, who introduced him to international economics
- Patricia Hutton, who sparked his interest in econometrics
- George Palumbo, who encouraged his focus on regional and urban economics
Balancing Books, Friendships and Buffalo Winters
While his professional achievements are impressive, Gillen also fondly remembers the fun and camaraderie of student life at Canisius. “We didn’t have Wi-Fi, digital textbooks or social media back then, so we made up for it with strong opinions and vigorous debates — in person!” he laughed, adding, “We honors geeks rock!”
Gillen also reflected on how Canisius’ diverse community broadened his perspective and shaped his outlook. “Meeting students from Jamaica, India, Lebanon and France expanded my horizons. Many of those friendships continue today, and I’m especially gratified to see that Canisius has expanded its international student population since my time there,” he added.
His recollection of campus life included plenty of fun too. “I once stumbled home from the Old Pink bar in Allentown through several feet of snow and high winds at 3 a.m. because a storm shut down all traffic. Every alum from the 90s has that story!” he laughed. “Honestly, they should put a statue of a student wearing sweatpants, a Bills scarf, a Sabres jersey and a Canisius hat leaning into a harsh wind right next to Petey the Griff."
Jesuit Education Meets Real-World Impact
Gillen says the Jesuit philosophy of cura personalis (care for the whole person) at Canisius also continues to shape how he approaches research and public debate. “I often joke that my Canisius professors made me into an economist while the Jesuits quietly hoped to turn all of us into philosophers,” he said. “But the Jesuit tradition emphasizes that education extends beyond the pragmatic to include intellectual, moral and spiritual growth.”
Gillen also credits Canisius with helping him see how economic research could shape public policy and real-world decision-making. Through the university’s internship program, he worked with leaders at institutions such as M&T Bank and the then Marine Midland Bank.
One internship placed him in the middle of congressional debate surrounding the North American Free Trade Agreement. “My research during that internship helped support its passage,” Gillen said. “That experience ultimately helped me secure my first job after graduation at the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C.”
Advice for Today’s Canisius Students
For students interested in economics, research or public policy, Gillen offers simple but important advice: stay grounded in evidence and intellectual honesty.
“In today’s environment, many public conversations are driven more by emotion than by careful reasoning,” he said. “A Jesuit education prepares you to remain rooted in facts, logic and intellectual humility—even when faced with strong opinions.”
Those principles have guided him throughout his career as an economist. “If you remain committed to truth and careful reasoning, those values will serve as a steady foundation,” Gillen said. “It’s like being a rock in the stream—the current flows around you, but you remain grounded.”
More than three decades after graduating from Canisius University, Gillen says the lessons he learned there continue to shape how he approaches research, debate and public policy. “The further away from Canisius I get, the closer I often feel to it," he said.
