This week’s Prairie Star on the Move is none other than UIS alum Chloe Compton. She graduated as a political science and communication double major and held many leadership positions during her time as an undergraduate at UIS. Compton was one of the head delegates for the Model Illinois Government Club in 2018 before being elected to the state organization’s executive board as President of the Senate. During her senior year, she was the Vice President of Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc., and she was able to represent UIS at the Midwest Association of Latin American Studies conference in El Paso, Texas. She was an active member of the UIS student body and was able to take those experiences with her after she graduated in 2019.

Following graduation, Compton went on to participate in the Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program (ILSIP) at UIS. She was one of the 20 graduate students chosen that year and placed in the Issues Development Unit within the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. When asked about this experience, she said, “Overall it was a fantastic experience that allowed me to better understand the ins and outs of state government from an insider’s perspective. It was great to be able to be a part of the legislative process firsthand.”

After finishing the program, Compton went on to work in the Research and Appropriations Unit within the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Here, she analyzes legislation in the area of human services and public health, which are extremely important problem areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other aspects of her job include helping the representatives answer questions about their bills on the floor, organize negotiations between members and different advocates and interest groups, and running working groups and committees.

When asked where she sees herself in 10 years, Compton was honest and stated that she does not know. Her current role had been her dream job for a long time and she wants to continue to work in areas that she is passionate about. According to her, that means it could be “in the same office as I am now, at a state agency or in the private sector…as long as I’m helping people and making change, I’ll be satisfied.” Chloe Compton is a public servant who will continue to work to make the world a better place as one of the many shining stars that UIS proudly gets to claim in its constellation.