Matt Chiller: From Capitol Hill to Dominguez Hills

Many students at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) find that what they learn in the classroom often enhances their everyday experiences on the job. Matt Chiller, deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Congresswoman Laura Richardson (D-Calif.), is no exception. As an online M.B.A. student at CSUDH, he has access to a virtual classroom where he can draw valuable insights from his fellow students.

“In the classes I took at the University of Maryland, it was great and there were bright students there,” he says of the traditional path he initially took toward his M.B.A. “But at the same time, everyone had the same federal perspective; whereas now [in CSUDH’s online M.B.A. classes], if we’re talking about a social issue, I’m able to gain perspectives from students from Arizona, California, Illinois, and Connecticut — people who work for cities and counties and for sheriff’s departments. It really helps that I’m getting more of a local perspective.”

The Massachusetts native had worked on Capitol Hill for eight years before deciding to pursue his master’s. He felt that it was time to further his education and improve his public policy background. But finding the time proved challenging.

“Because I got my bachelor’s degree at the University of Maryland and I really enjoyed it, I went back and started my master’s program there,” he says. “Working on Capitol Hill has very unusual hours. There are plenty of nights where I’m there until 8 or 9 p.m. I was missing class more than I was making it, and it was a very unreliable schedule. My wife is taking an online program for her master’s degree in nutrition at a school in New Jersey. Seeing that she enjoyed it and that it fit her schedule, it was something I started thinking about for myself.”

Chiller heard about Dominguez Hills from colleague David Gamboa (Class of ’05, B.A., communications) when they both worked for the late Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald whose district Richardson now represents. Gamboa, who is currently CSUDH’s director of government and community relations, encouraged Chiller’s interest in the university by telling him of his positive experiences as a student. Impressed and in need of the convenience that the online M.B.A. program provides, Chiller enrolled at CSUDH.

“It’s been a great experience,” says Chiller. “I’ve been able to do work on the weekends and late at night whenever I’m free. It takes all the pressure off and I can focus on my job, and I’ll have a degree that I’ll put to great use.”

Chiller’s career began when as an undergraduate at the University of Maryland he served as an intern for Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and at the White House during the Clinton administration. After graduation, he joined the Gore-Lieberman presidential campaign and worked for several other members of Congress before he was hired as legislative director for Congresswoman Millender-McDonald.

Chiller looks forward to a career in policymaking, saying that, “Having a role in public policy, brainstorming with people and trying to do positive things for the country on a federal level is fascinating. You can do almost anything you want to do, because the information is, quite literally, limitless. We’re blessed in Congress to have unlimited resources in the Library of Congress and an army of experts who know everything about everything. The only limit is your ideas.”

Currently, Chiller is working on the Congresswoman Richardson’s interests in the effects of transportation and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on the local economy of the 37th District, as well as the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. Chiller emphasizes his employer’s support of education, not just for her constituents, but for her own staff.

“Congresswoman Richardson has been very supportive of me and other [staff members] who are pursuing an advanced degree,” he says. “She was very pleased to hear that I would be coming here and cares a lot about this school and its students. That meant a great deal to me. This is my school and I have a lot of pride. I’m glad to work for someone who cares about my school and the issues that affect it.”

- Joanie Harmon