Student Profile: Christopher Doyle, MPP Class of 2024

Christopher Doyle, MPP Class of 2024, said that while he has always loved to learn, he faced academic challenges early on. “I'm dyslexic, but I was very fortunate in that my parents knew it and knew what to expect. They found an experienced special education
teacher with a curriculum designed for people with learning differences, and as a result, I was able to progress rapidly."

Having access to these resources inspired Doyle to give back early on. Throughout high school, he taught at a tutoring center where he often called upon his special education teacher’s curriculum. “I saw myself in a lot of those kids,” he said.

As a tutor, he initially provided individual attention to students. Gradually, Doyle taught entire classes of kindergarteners and third graders by himself, sometimes at the same time. “There was no overlap between what they were learning,” he said, “so I was just
running back and forth between the groups.”

His teaching experience later extended to instructing an after-school math class for students in grades 3–5 who faced difficulty in learning the subject. "While teaching math at different schools in the local district, I saw many students lacking resources and individualized attention. I felt there was a lot of disregarded potential.”

Doyle went on to complete his undergraduate studies at the University of Pacific, earning dual degrees in business and international commerce. After graduation, Doyle initially worked as a contractor, analyzing data and researching manufacturing processes. However, he soon reconnected with his desire to see that people who need accommodations have access to resources.

"In my current role as a Program Analyst for the Computer Accommodations Program within the Department of Defense, I created an HR system through which people can describe their disabilities and needs to receive accommodations in any form—from software to hardware. Ultimately, my coworkers and I ensure employees have the resources they need to do well at their job."

Tackling such challenges, Doyle said, has always inspired a genuine frustration—and passion—in him. "When I see a social problem, my first thought is, 'That could and should be fixed,' and that mindset is what definitely drew me to Harris. A lot of other students have the same passion and motivation to solve social problems, which makes
me feel right at home here."

Although both the University of Chicago and the Harris School of Public Policy had been on Doyle's radar for a while, he said it was the Core Curriculum that really drew him in. "I consider the Core to be the quantitative analysis foundation I can apply to whatever
opportunities arise, academically or professionally. I've also never had the opportunity to conduct formal academic research, and the prospect of having that opportunity at Harris is really exciting." Doyle also said he is interested in pursuing the Certificate in Data Analytics.

As for where he sees himself after Harris, Doyle said those aspirations extend globally. "While it may sound cliche, I want to make the world a better place," Doyle said. "I'd like to join an NGO [non-government organization] in international development work,
perhaps with a focus on education policy. But I won't limit myself: I may even create an NGO to build educational infrastructures and resources where they are currently lacking."