Student Spotlight - Michele Connole

Michele Connole began defining herself as a conservative during Bill Clinton’s second presidential term. “I was fed up with President Clinton and I could not understand the people who were supporting him at the time,” she says. “There was Newt Gingrich doing things that made sense, and there was Bill Clinton fighting him. I started to do some research and, over time, I felt confident enough to say I was conservative. I’ve never looked back.”

Michele chose the University of North Texas (UNT) based on its strong ties to her family and her community. The quintessential “All-American Girl,” Michele exudes the charm, spirit, and lighthearted assertiveness that are commonly associated with the Lone Star State. “I absolutely love a good steak and baked potato,” she says. “Give me a baseball movie any day of the week, combining two of the greatest pastimes in this country.”

Michele has made her mark as a conservative leader at UNT as the executive director of the school’s chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT), and currently serves as the senior vice chairman of publicity at the organization's state level. Michele currently works for Americans for Prosperity in Austin, Texas as grassroots coordinator.

Michele considers all conservative issues important, but cites immigration and “the anti-feminist” movement as those she is most passionate about. Michele hopes to one day make an impact on the latter by writing a book about the dangers of modern-day radical feminism “from an under-30 perspective.”

As for immigration, she feels that this issue has become increasingly important since the tragedy of 9/11 and describes her most memorable activist experience as an event hosted by YCT-UNT in 2005, “Capture the Illegal Immigrant.” “[The event was] designed to demonstrate our opposition to those who break our laws in order to come into this country, and to outline the national security threat posed by the lax enforcement of those laws. We caused quite a stir on campus and eventually the nation. It helped bring the issue of illegal immigration to the forefront of national debate. I’ve never felt as much like I made a difference as I did by participating in that event.”

Michele is a strong advocate of women in the political arena. Her favorite conservative leader is Michelle Malkin: “I think she is breaking ground with her ‘blogging-as-journalism” style, and she is always saying something controversial and not backing down in the face of opposition. For me, Ms. Malkin is the perfect example of how to be unapologetic and bold.”

Another conservative leader Michele admires is Dr. Christina Hoff Sommers, who she heard speak at one of CBLPI’s seminars in June 2004. Dr. Sommers is a strong adversary of The Vagina Monologues, which Michele also combated in 2006 by participating in CBLPI’s V-Day Unveiled campaign. The YCT-UNT held contests and celebrations like “Gentleman of UNT” and “Chivalry Day,” events meant to promote traditional values and the real meaning of Valentine’s Day. Her group also wrote anti-Monologues pieces for the school’s paper, passed out information about the offensive play, and hung fliers. She believes these tactics were very successful. “Attendance was reportedly down at this year’s performance.”

Michele can truly be proud of her hard work and the impact she has had within the UNT community. She believes it is vital for young people to do their part. Her advice to fellow students is: “Get involved! Get your message out and don’t apologize for it.”

And for everyone who thinks they can’t make a difference, Michele relates her motto: “‘William Barret Travis was 25 when he died defending the Alamo. What have you done lately? Young people have been the impetus for change at many points in history. We pave the way for the people who follow us.”

“William Barret Travis was 25 when he died defending the Alamo. What have you done lately? Young people have been the impetus for change at many points in history. We pave the way for the people who follow us.”