Chloe Peterson

Story by Josh Werre

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work in the White House, ask University of Sioux Falls graduate Chloe Peterson. A Colorado native, Peterson grew up in the small town of Elizabeth located just outside of the Denver metro area. “Ever since I was little, I have had a passion to tell stories,” Peterson says. This passion stuck with her as she entered college, and it’s proved to open many doors for her, both at USF and abroad.

Peterson followed in her sister Kimberly’s footsteps by attending USF on a track and field scholarship. “Being on the track team was where some of my fondest memories of my college years took place,” she says. During her athletic career, Peterson would become the 2019 female MVP of the USF Track and Field team. Peterson’s headshot

When she wasn’t on the track, Peterson was working hard academically. “I finished my USF course work in December and will be graduating in May with a degree in Media Studies and a concentration in Social Media and Marketing,” she says. “I am especially thankful for professors, Dr. Nick Poppens and Assistant Professor Nancy Sutton, who I consider mentors, coaches, and friends. They are two of the reasons this degree means so much.”

2020 was a difficult year for many, but for Peterson it was one of the most exciting times of her life. “I had the opportunity to be a White House intern in the Spring of 2020 under the Trump Administration…The application process was grueling but what joy when I found out I was accepted!” In January of 2020 she made the move to Washington D.C. “[I] found an apartment and was one nervous young lady taking the Metro light rail to work that first day.”

Peterson served as an intern in the Digital Strategy Department during her time in D.C. “The digital strategy department is the department that runs the official social media platforms for the White House… I had many duties but one of my most favorite roles was drafting tweets for the White House Twitter page. Seeing my work posted on such an important account was humbling. It was wonderful leaving work at the same time Vice President Mike Pence was, meeting President Trump and watching him get on to Marine One multiple times, and walking past Ivanka Trump in the hallway.”

And now, as she prepares to graduate, Peterson is getting ready for the next chapter of her life. “I am currently working full time in Denver at a right of center public policy consulting firm while doing wedding, engagement, graduation, event photography and videography as a side business,” she says. “I could see devoting myself full-time to my photography/ videography business as it continues to grow and I love it! Check it out at www.chloenoelleproductions.com” Peterson on the job

Peterson and friend Miranda Blom

“As I transition to be a USF alum, my hope is that the University will resist cultural pressure and stay true to its mission statement that ‘The University of Sioux Falls is committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to the integration of biblical faith and learning’… I am grateful for the life-long friendships that I have made and all of the memories that I will cherish forever.”

photos courtesy of Josh Werre and Chloe Peterson