Illinois State Department of Politics and Government alumna Nikita Richards ’06, M.S. ’15, is running for local public office. Recently in The Pantagraph, Richards explained why she wants to be McLean County clerk: “I want there to be a sense of community and transparency with this office, for people to have a better understanding of what the clerk’s role is. Is it only around Election Day people at the clerk’s office reach out to you? It shouldn’t be that way.”

Richards is currently an employee for the city and a clerk of the Administrative Court. “I was responsible for helping create a lot of the policies and procedures,” she said. “Those same leadership, management, and organizational skills are transferable.”