Through leadership in the University Honors Program and a deep commitment to social justice, Honors graduate Riley Stern has inspired others while working to create positive change on campus and beyond.
Stern earned her degree in mathematics and economics, balancing her rigorous coursework with service-oriented initiatives in the Honors Mentor Program - and completed three minors along the way: creative writing, public health, and population studies. She was selected as this year’s student speaker for the Honors Recognition Ceremony for her impact on UHP, from being a peer assistant to serving as treasurer for the Honors Multicultural Network.
“I've tried to seek out different perspectives or different ways of looking at things,” she said. “I had an inkling of things I might be interested in, and so I think my Honor's experience kind of went hand in hand with that. It provided another avenue for me to explore different things and push myself in different ways. It was always just very exciting for me.”
Throughout her time at the University of Minnesota, Stern developed a passion for using her academic interests to address social challenges, using the quantitative skills she learned in mathematics and economics.
“I think there's kind of this narrative that more technical things like math are very separated from social issues or advocacy, but I didn't really accept that narrative,” she said. “I think these things give you the tools to critically engage with current events and issues that you see in front of you.”
Stern was able to take a wide variety of Honors courses and experiences, including the Of Mice And Men NEXUS, the Modern China HSEM, a study abroad course in Sweden, and various internships. But her favorite was completing her thesis project, “Nutrition Subsidies and Child Skill Formation,” where she examined the efficacy of two different methods the government can use to support people in need.
“Taking ownership of something in that way, and having to organize it myself - I'm leading the project, I’m organizing these meetings with my advisors, I'm putting together my committee - was a really good experience.”
Stern also had the benefit of working with Dr. Joseph Mullins who specializes in labor economics, human capital formation, and inequality.
“Having a mentor that was also engaged with things that I consider that matter was really impactful for me as well,” she said.
In her speech to Honors students, Stern said she hopes to encourage her fellow graduates to pursue risk and embrace challenges, regardless of the outcome.
“Challenging myself in this way left me falling short at times, but still, falling forward, with the conviction and resilience to try again,” she said in her speech. “As we move through the rest of our lives and careers, may we move forward with this resolve to continually challenge ourselves, despite the risk.”
Stern acknowledges that the class of 2026 has had to grapple with tumultuous times for most of their academic careers, from COVID disruptions during high school to the federal immigration enforcement occupation in Minnesota earlier this year. She believes this highlights the incredible perseverance of her peers.
“Our presence here today marks not only a dedication to our studies and degree programs, but to our continued educational efforts in this extraordinary time,” she said in her speech. “We will be leaving not only as Honors graduates, but as individuals with the capacity, agency, and responsibility to shape the world we are stepping into. The work ahead is urgent and I am hopeful for all of us, because of all of us.”
Riley Stern has accepted a position as a research assistant for the Federal Reserve in Philadelphia. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in economics.