Melanie Lytell

Melanie Lytell is an economics and statistics double major from Glendale Heights, IL

Hometown: Glendale Heights, IL

High School: Glenbard North High School

Year: Expected graduation: Spring 2026

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
I have been very fortunate to receive several scholarships. I received the NIU merit scholarship for having a weighted GPA of over 4.0 in high school. Last school year, I received two scholarships for my participation in the University Honors Program: the John and Lili LaTourette Scholarship in Economics and the Dick Noreen Honors Scholarship. The John and Lili LaTourette Scholarship is given to an honors student in the Department of Economics. The Dick Noreen Honors Scholarship is given to students who are active in the Honors Program. This year, I received a grant from the National Science Foundation to participate in the BELONG in STEM Scholars Program. I received this grant by being a STEM major and applying to the program with a personal statement and two letters of recommendation. All of these scholarships and grants have reduced my financial stress, which allows me to focus more on my personal and educational growth here at NIU.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
When I was younger, I wanted to pursue many different things, but the one thing I was set on was being a meteorologist. Every day, I would watch the Weather Channel and wish that I could be like Jim Cantore and Mike Bettes. As I entered high school, my plans changed. The social sciences classes I took changed my whole perspective on the world and the economy. Now, as I am preparing to graduate in the spring, I have realized that I have found my true calling, which is helping people make better data-driven decisions.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am double majoring in economics and statistics and minoring in math. I have always loved math, and I knew that I was going to study it at some capacity in college. My interest in economics started when I was a sophomore in high school and took AP Human Geography, where I learned about things like GDP and comparative advantage. During my senior year, I took AP Macroeconomics, and I was so interested in everything I learned that I decided to pursue it. My interest in statistics started during my senior year of high school, when I was working on my research for my AP Research class. I was so interested in what the numbers I got meant.

Have you conducted your own research through Research Rookies, Honors capstones or theses or any other faculty-guided research opportunity?
Yes

Tell us about the research you are doing and why it interests you.
During the 2023-24 school year, I participated in Research Rookies. The topic of focus was the impact of the cost of skilled labor and market uncertainty. I am now working on my Honors Capstone, which focuses on the impact that housing burdens have on insurance participation. This topic piqued my interest because it is no secret the cost of owning a home has gone up, as have the prices of all types of insurance. The aim of the project is to see what people prioritize, get a wholistic view of why these prices have gone up and determine if people are protecting themselves from disasters.

How has conducting research strengthened your education and experience at NIU?
Conducting research at NIU has deeply strengthened both my education and my overall experience by allowing me to bridge classroom learning with real-world application. Through research, I have learned how to think critically about complex problems, analyze data rigorously and communicate findings effectively. It has challenged me to take ownership of my learning, ask deeper questions and engage with material at a level that lectures alone cannot provide. Working alongside faculty mentors has also helped me build meaningful professional relationships and gain insight into the research process, from developing a question to presenting results at conferences. These opportunities have given me confidence, independence and a clearer vision of how my studies in economics and statistics can contribute to the field.

How will your research experience help you in the future?
My research experience has equipped me with critical skills that will directly support my future goals. I’ve learned how to analyze complex data, think independently and approach problems with curiosity and persistence, all of which are essential for professional roles in economics and statistics. Conducting research has also improved my communication skills, as I’ve had to explain technical findings to audiences. These experiences have shown me how to manage long-term projects, work collaboratively and stay resilient when faced with challenges, which will help me thrive in any professional setting I pursue.

Who at NIU has been important to your success doing research and why?
I would say my Research Rookies mentor, Dr. Anna Klis. Even though I chose a topic that wasn't in her field, she still helped me navigate how to do research in economics at the beginning of my undergraduate career.

What advice would you give to an incoming student as it relates to research at NIU?
NIU provides a lot of opportunities to do research in some capacity, so if you are interested, I would say do it. You'll have experiences you won't get anywhere else.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
How helpful the professors are and how much they care about your success. They are more than willing to help if you reach out to them.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I have gotten to the point where I have classes with the same few people, so we talk about the classes we have or had, and friendships have been formed that way. Getting involved in various activities also helped, as well as working at the Huskie Academic Success Center as a tutor.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am a part of the Honors Program, the Economics Student Association and the BELONG in STEM Scholars Program. These extracurriculars provide a great community and push me to be a better person and student.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
My professors have been my resources. They are willing to listen to any problems I am facing in their class and come up with a solution or answer any content-related questions I have. They are really here for you, which is something I cannot emphasize enough.

What Honors Program opportunities or support have helped you get closer to your academic or career goals so far?
The Honors Program has provided opportunities and support that have been instrumental in helping me move toward my academic and career goals. The small, discussion-based honors courses have also helped me strengthen my critical-thinking and communication skills, while building meaningful relationships with professors and peers. In addition, the advising and guidance from honors staff has helped me plan my academic path strategically and connect with scholarships and conference opportunities that align with my long-term goals.

What do you enjoy the most about the Honors Program?
I enjoy that the Honors Program encourages us to get involved on campus and experience new things. This is done through various engagement activities, which can be really fun, like volunteering at STEM Fest. There is something for everyone.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
I have been blessed to have great professors. Jeremy Groves taught my ECON 260 (Principles of Microeconomics) course during my first semester here at NIU. His lectures were very engaging, and he gave great examples. He is also very funny and cares about his students. I am currently in his ECON 450 (Public Economics) class, and it has been great so far. I also enjoyed my Weather, Climate and You class with Dr. Victor Gensini. Even though the lectures were online, they were very engaging and interesting. You can tell he is very passionate about what he does. He was always willing to help me when I had questions about the content.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
The professors I have had, especially in the math department, don't really post their lecture notes, so one of the benefits of going to classes in person is the fact that I get the bulk of my content that way.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
I like the library. It is a good place to study and get work done. The atmosphere makes you want to study and be productive.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
I would look at every aspect, but the most important thing to look at is cost. You can still have great experiences even if you don't attend the most expensive school or the best school in your field.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important to me because it gives me the knowledge, skills and experiences I need to build a meaningful and impactful career. It has challenged me to think critically, work independently and approach problems from multiple perspectives, which will prepare me to contribute solutions to real-world issues. Beyond academics, college has helped me grow as a person, building my confidence, resilience and sense of purpose.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
To manage my time between school, work, friends and family, I rely on careful planning and setting clear priorities. I use a digital calendar and weekly to-do lists to break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps, which helps me stay organized and avoid last-minute stress. I also set specific blocks of time for studying and work while leaving space for rest and personal time, which helps me stay focused and prevents burnout. Most importantly, I stay flexible and regularly reassess my schedule, adjusting as needed to maintain a healthy balance between my academic goals and personal relationships.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I read the weekly emails that are sent out.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
The main thing I do to recharge is go to bed early. I am a pretty busy person, so this is one way I can do that. I also watch “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “The Office.”

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I currently work as a tutor in the Huskie Academic Success Center. I cover a lot of economics, statistics, math and French courses. In terms of hobbies, I like to go bowling and read historical fiction, as well as listen to music.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your NIU Huskie story?
I have worked hard to get where I am today. I never would have thought that I would be graduating with two bachelor's degrees in harder subjects.