Meet the Class: 1L Chad Peltier, Former U.S. Navy Research Psychologist

After earning his Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Michigan State University, 1L Chad Peltier, was recruited by the U.S. Navy to oversee the Submarine Force’s psychological screening program. Peltier, who also holds a master's degree in public administration, is enrolled in the joint J.D./MBA program. He would like to one day use his combined skills to help create well-informed, evidence-based health care policy.

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How does your experience as a U.S. Navy research psychologist connect to your decision to seek a legal education?

Playing a role in the health care system, however small, opened my eyes to the importance of enacting effective health care policies and processes, which has led me to studying health care in the University of Minnesota’s JD/MBA program.

Could you discuss one or two life experiences?

Going to grad school was the best professional experience I’ve had. Learning scientific literacy, communication, grant writing, data analysis, and coding meant it was a tough few years, but the tools and perspectives I gained were well worth the effort. I hope that law school is similarly transformative. 

What do you hope/plan to do with your legal education (realizing, of course, that may change during the course of your studies)?

Health care is always at the intersection of law, government policy, business, and care delivery. Having been a part of some parts of this puzzle, I want to gain the knowledge and experience in all of them so I can go on to support, and hopefully write, well-informed, evidence-based policy. 

There are many law school choices. Why did you select Minnesota Law?

There are three main reasons why I chose Minnesota Law. First, its location near big health care organizations’ headquarters—Optum, United Health, and Medtronic. Second, its strong rank and placement of its students. Third, the University of Minnesota has strong veteran support. 

Minnesota Law strives for a diversity of perspectives. What are you hoping to add to the mix?

I’m coming into law school at an older age than most. I’m hoping my experiences in academia, research, military, and government can all broaden the conversations we have in the classroom, and potentially help other students make informed choices on where they want to work. 

What is something you are looking forward to about being a law student?

I’ve always wanted to study law. There is (metaphorically) a big book that dictates how we all live our lives and, up until law school, I have been completely ignorant of it. Understanding how that book guides us, our law enforcement, our businesses, and our government is an invaluable perspective. 

What are your hobbies/ interests?

I like staying active, so my hobbies include anything that gets me moving—lifting weights, yoga, sports, and woodworking. I also like reading nerdy fantasy books to balance out the scientific literature I stay up to date on to support ongoing work as a research psychologist. 

Favorite inspirational quote, book, or personal hero that you would like to mention?

I would say that Bernie Sanders is my hero. He has been steadfast in his beliefs for decades, fighting to support women’s health, civil rights, health care reform, and education access, even when these ideas have not always been popular. 

Something interesting about me that others might not know.

Despite being a psychologist supporting the mental health of submariners, I am extremely claustrophobic. Whenever I stepped foot on a submarine, my body would immediately break out in sweat.