Student Profile: Peter Schleckman, MPP Class of 2024

Peter Schleckman wants to better students’ lives through impactful education policy at all levels. “I know that by studying public policy I will learn to be an effective changemaker no matter where I am or what my role is,” he said.

Schleckman grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, and attended the University of Virginia for his undergraduate studies, earning his bachelor’s in economics and media studies in 2017. “I was very unsure of what I wanted to do after graduation,” Schleckman said. “As time went on, I realized I wanted to do something meaningful and impactful for other people.”

During his senior year, Schleckman attended an informational session about the United States Peace Corps. “I applied for positions that revolved around community and economic development. Once I found out I was accepted, it was an easy yes for me.” Schleckman worked in Burkina Faso as a Community Economic Development Volunteer in June 2017. His training involved learning about food transformation and conservation techniques and improving local entrepreneurs’ agricultural activities. “My role helped people, especially women, establish businesses and become financially independent.”

Schleckman later served as a Health Service Promotion Volunteer in Mozambique from June 2018 to April 2019. Specifically, he collaborated with local authorities to improve patient health records and home visit procedures.

After finishing his appointment in Mozambique, Schleckman was not sure about next steps. “I knew that former Peace Corps volunteers often go on to start youth groups and educate young people about things they picked up during their service,” he said. “Not long after I got back, I found out about an opportunity working for AmeriCorps: it was exactly what I was looking for.”

In August 2019, Schleckman began working with College Now Greater Cleveland. “I first worked at James Rhodes High School helping students complete their FAFSA, signing them up for standardized tests—just helping them through their high school experience. During my time there, I also saw issues many people consider 'solved' still impacting people only five miles from where I grew up." 

Schleckman subsequently took on a similar role at Lorain High School in Lorain, Ohio, and it was there he  decided to look into public policy schools. "Working with such hard-working kids over the past years definitely had a big impact on my own professional growth and motivations for pursuing a graduate degree." 

While researching graduate programs, Schleckman said he immediately felt Harris would be a good fit for him. “I felt really comfortable after meeting other prospective students during a Preferred Visit Day in October 2021. We were all talking about the impact we want to make, and I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to work alongside people of this caliber for two years. I also really appreciated the quantitative analysis aspect of the program, and I can’t wait to bring the life experiences I’ve acquired over the last five years to Chicago. I see a lot of people and places that need help right now, and I know Harris will help me towards building solutions.”