Alumni Profile: Connor Christensen, MPP’24

Connor Christensen, MPP’24, recently started a new full-time role with the state of Wyoming as an Economic Policy and Research Advisor after having worked with the Corioli Institute as a Research Associate for over a year—including during his time at The Harris School of Public Policy.

“My role is to find creative ways for Wyoming to innovate its economy,” said Christensen. “It’s an interesting state to work in, and I get to enter a new political culture to endeavor for better public policy.”

A native of Foreston, Minnesota, Christensen was the first in his family to earn a college degree—and his path to that degree took him around the world. “I knew I wanted to go to college, but after high school, I had no way to pay for it. So, I served in the U.S. Navy for five years, visiting more than 50 countries. That exposure led me to work in globalization. I wanted to make sense of how this world interacts.”

After the Navy, Christensen used his GI Bill to pay for college. “The fact that I was able to work hard for five years and get the government to pay for my college really paid off,” said Christensen. He chose to attend Saint Louis University's campus in Madrid where he earned his undergraduate degree in history. Following that, Christensen studied Turkish in Azerbaijan and then interned with the Organization of American States in Washington, DC.

In 2021, Christensen was a Fulbright Scholar in Turkey. “My time in Turkey had a huge impact on me. I lived in a small town and spoke to locals on their perspective of global issues. That experience helped me recognize the limitations of an America-centric lens and deepened my commitment to working in ways that include diverse perspectives. It made me more conscious of the need for policies that are not just well-intended but also informed by those who experience their consequences firsthand,” said Christensen.

Despite being well-traveled with significant experience, Christensen found himself facing challenges and less than ideal professional roles. "We don't always get our first picks for jobs, and we don’t always get hired. Sometimes you have to find a way to earn money while you plan for what’s next. I think that’s pretty important in life.”

What led Christensen to pursue a Master of Public Policy at The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy? “While my work around the globe cemented my interest in policy, almost all of my experience was with the human element—and I was ready to push myself into the numbers element. I was eager to see how the fields of data and analysis fit with my cultural understanding to manifest real change, and that is where Harris came in. No other public policy school I researched prepares students—especially those like me with non-quantitative backgrounds—like Harris does.”

A very involved member within the Harris community, Christensen served as a staff writer for world affairs at the Chicago Policy Review and worked as a teaching assistant for a variety of classes. “At Harris, I just wanted to work as hard as I could and learn as much as possible and make the best decisions for my future.”

Christensen said that his Harris experience prepared him well for his role with the state of Wyoming. "The data analysis and data visualization skills I learned at Harris were crucial during the intensive interview process. I was able to say, ‘Look, I’m not originally from here, but here’s some data in Wyoming that I can help to work with.' It's rewarding to be able to use my skills to support public policy that benefits all the communities of Wyoming."