Miquéla V. Thornton

Environmental journalist from Chicago-ish, IL passionate about the issues that face the world today, particularly at the convergence of climate change and social justice. Experienced in writing about renewable energies, sustainability initiatives, scientific studies, climate technologies, and solutions needed for climate mitigation, adaptation, and planetary restoration. Especially enjoys writing scientist, activist, and environmentalist profiles. Detail-oriented editor for both student and researcher-written work, who prioritizes strong relationships. Particularly compelled by the questions of what entails a just clean energy transition, how non-human kin are considered in initiatives, and what sustainability that prioritizes environmental justice for marginalized communities looks like.

• Art: painting, collaging, photography
• Roller skating
• Reading
• Writing fiction and poetry
• Hugging trees
• Visiting art museums and galleries

The Vanderbilt Hustler — Opinion Editor (August 2019 - May 2021)

• Authored op-eds and worked directly with staff writers throughout the writing process
• Created and gave in-depth presentations on the craft of opinion articles and general student journalism
• Effectively led weekly meetings for ~15 staff writers and curated topical and evergreen pitches to inspire my team
• Increased opinion section readership and engagement by 45% during my editorship
• Established successful initiatives to increase racial, gender, religious, orientation, and political opinion diversity of staff

College Voices Podcast — Assistant Editor (August 2021 - May 2022)

• Edited podcasts created with a close-knit team of 10 based on creativity, narrative, novelty of ideas, accessibility, structure, reporting clarity, and audio quality

• Winner of Vanderbilt Student Communications Skip Bayless Fellowship for Exceptional Graduating Seniors (May 2022)
• Winner of the Jim Leeson Prize for Journalistic Fairness (May 2021)
• The McGill Project - Creative Arts Director (August 2021 - May 2022)
• Vanderbilt New Dawn - Website Designer (August 2019 - May 2022)
• Vanderbilt Chapter of The NAACP – Member of Community Service Committee (August 2021 - May 2022)
• The SciLit Review - Editor-in-Chief & Website Designer (November 2019 - August 2021)