Charles Wallace-Thomas IV
Economics and Mathematics, BS
Psychology Minor
2022
Charles T. Wallace-Thomas IV (he/him) has always envisioned a life affecting real change in important economic and social justice issues. With that in mind, he knew Northeastern’s renowned economics and mathematics programs, coupled with experiential learning opportunities that placed him in the communities he wanted to work with, would be critical to his success. Charles will graduate with an impressive resume of coursework, personal projects and initiatives, community service, and work experiences that will lead to reaching his goals.
Charles chose to attend Northeastern because he was intrigued by the signature co-op program and wanted a curriculum that combined real-world experience without compromising thorough academic rigor.
Initially an engineering student, Charles switched to a combined major in Economics and Mathematics to build upon his interest in economic and social justice work. He also has a minor in psychology.
In his first year, Charles took Sustainable Renewable Energy Development in the Global South with Professor Shalanda Baker, which taught him to question systems as they exist, no matter how established.
As part of the Ujima Global Leaders Program through the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute, Charles did community service, working on the Timebank team which helped him give back to Boston.
As Campaign Coordinator and Director of Northeastern’s Students Advancing Intersectional Dreams, Charles had spoken to people like Patrisse Cullors, Richie Reseda, Michelle Alexander, and Angela Davis.
Over the summer of 2020, Charles was one of the co-creators of the #BlackAtNU campaign where he advocated for racial literacy courses and for a restorative and transformative justice center on campus.
Charles made his own research project- a macroeconomic index to measure democratic participation in municipal economies, partnering with NU, the Columbus Foundation and the Center for Economic Democracy.
In his fourth year, Charles took Behavioral Economics with Professor Silvia Prina, a course he enjoyed because it exposed him to different ways of approaching the traditional discipline of economics.
For his next co-op, Charles worked at the Participatory Budgeting Project as a Program Associate, helping city systems and other organizations actively decide how to invest money across different spaces.
Charles is committed to a career focused on supporting different communities and enriching their quality of life. He intends to pursue a PhD in economics and urban planning.
“Northeastern has been useful because I’ve had the flexibility and I’ve been encouraged to really find ways to integrate myself in these communities of practice right now as an undergrad. And so, I’ve built those relationships with folks, I’ve been able to study and learn from them and learn with them. It’s what is needed to make you come alive as a person.”
