05/16/2024

Gabrielle Chiodo, a senior at the College of Arts and Sciences, will graduate this May with bachelor’s degrees in political science and communication, with minors in women and gender studies and political journalism. As editor-in-chief of The University News, she’s had the unique opportunity to take what she learned in the classroom and use it in service of her Saint Louis University peers. 

As she prepares for graduation, Chiodo talks about what inspired her studies and what she plans to do next.

Why did you decide to pursue so many different majors and minors?

I have so many different things that I’m passionate about. It was about creating an educational profile for myself that felt authentic and dynamic. That couldn’t have happened without faculty being upfront with me about what I need to do and where I would need to tinker with things. 

Were there any faculty or mentors whom you worked closely with?

Yes, so many. I’ve always believed that if you find someone interesting, you should get in front of them and talk with them. I’ve worked a lot with Dr. Melissa Ochoa, Dr. Morgan Hazelton and Dr. Steve Rogers. In my role with The University News, Dr. Kelsey Mesmer has been really awesome in helping us. 

What was it like to be a student in the SLU community while also covering it as a student journalist?

We’re taught that journalism is meant to be one of the checks and balances for big institutions. That could come off as anti-institution, but for me, it's about loving my institution and pointing out here's where we're failing and here's where we need to do better.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

The University News has definitely been one of my biggest accomplishments.  We’ve grown our membership and readership, and people see us as a credible news source for the community and the University.

I’m also really proud of the work I’ve done in my hometown as a legal clerk helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by guiding them through the legal process. That was the big pull for me to apply to the Truman Scholarship Foundation.

Is that what you’ll be doing this summer? 

Yes! Our cohort will go to Washington D.C., for our public service internships. I’ll be working for the Center for Law and Social Policy. It started as a legal aid clinic providing aid to people who were economically disadvantaged, and it transformed into a policy advocacy group.

What are your goals after that?

I'm taking a gap year next year to take the LSAT and figure out where I’m going. I would love to get a degree in family and criminal law to help with gender-based violence and domestic violence cases. That's something I've had professional exposure to, and it's such a complicated problem that requires a unique understanding of the ways our world operates.