Student Profile: Riley Melton, MPP Class of 2024

A Chicagoland native, Riley Melton, Master of Public Policy Class of 2024, wants to help revitalize neighborhoods that have been historically underserved for decades.

"As an undergraduate, I had originally planned to pursue a degree in engineering," said Melton, who received his bachelor’s from Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs in 2022. "Environmental justice is one of my other passions, and I thought the only way to have an impact in that area was through engineering. However, I quickly learned that a strong public policy background rooted in evidence is extremely valuable.”

Melton's interest in community development also blossomed during his time at Indiana University. “I would frequently venture off campus to discover Bloomington, and I witnessed first-hand the issues burdening the local community—and the strategies being taken to mitigate them. Through these experiences, my interest in community development really started to take shape."

At the start of his junior year, Melton began an internship at CDFI Friendly Bloomington as a Community Development Finance Intern. “CDFIs [Community Development Financial Institutions] provide capital and technical expertise for projects and programs, particularly in underserved communities. In my view, they are the answer to the missing capital that traditional banks can’t really provide. The tangible results I saw resulting from the work we were doing have kept me excited about CDFIs.” Melton subsequently interned for CDFI Friendly America, managing digital marketing strategies for the organization and consulting municipalities across the country on the role of CDFIs in small business development.

Melton’s impetus for choosing Harris as his next step stretched well beyond the curriculum. “The skills I will gain are undeniably important. However, the network at Harris—and UChicago—is invaluable.” Melton also cited Harris' diversity as a huge advantage. “People of all different ages, backgrounds, and viewpoints all under one roof is not an experience you can get everywhere. In just my first two quarters alone, this has been incredibly valuable. I have been able to glean such a breadth of insight from my colleagues.”

Having completed his first two quarters—the "Core" of the MPP—Melton said he considers the statistics and economics courses a crucial foundation. “As difficult as they were, I can see how the courses will be applicable to my understanding of academic concepts and my career aspirations. You definitely get the rigor necessary to truly dig into the material and understand the foundations of public policy analysis. Plus, the Core guides you to develop critical personal and professional skills in time management, general competency, and project management—essential skills in the professional environment."

Looking ahead, Melton is interested in taking more courses in data analytics and pursuing the Data Analytics Certificate. “I also want to take more courses in finance, as skills in interpreting finance and financial policy will be very useful as I progress in my career.”

In terms of extracurricular activities, Melton got involved with Harris Community Action, a Harris Student Organization that connects Harris students to South Side Chicago nonprofits and gives students opportunities to utilize their data and policy skills to assist these organizations with their work. “My team and I worked with Archi-Treasures, an art-focused nonprofit. I was able to get invested in the local community and gain important skills in data packages, client engagement, and research.”

His Harris experience thus far, Melton said, has already helped him develop a broader understanding of how he can positively impact communities through data-informed policy. “CDFIs represent just one element of community development. Being at Harris is an opportunity to broaden my perspective of how I can be a good practitioner in this space and use these tools and concepts to serve those that have often been left behind.”