My name is Mishele Ross, and I am a graduating senior at Western Washington University, where I am completing my degree in journalism with a minor in creative writing. I’m originally from Mill Creek and have spent my entire life in that community. Growing up there has deeply shaped how I see the world and how I tell stories. I spent a lot of my childhood in Mill Creek Town Center, walking the trails with my dog, eating at local restaurants, and spending time in places like the old Husky Book Store. Those everyday experiences gave me a strong sense of place and a lasting appreciation for local stories and the people behind them.

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I wrote fantasy stories just for fun and kept reading logs throughout elementary and middle school. By eighth grade, everything changed for me after an English class helped me realize that writing wasn’t just something I enjoyed, it was something I wanted to build my life around. Since then, I’ve continued developing my voice through both creative writing and journalism, and I feel incredibly grateful to be where I am today.

At Western, I’ve focused on journalism with interests in feature writing and investigative reporting. I’ve built skills in news writing, interviewing, source development, AP style, research, factchecking, pitching stories, and meeting deadlines. I really enjoy talking to people and hearing their stories. I’m not afraid to reach out, start conversations, or walk up to someone to find the right voice for a story. And if one source doesn’t work out, I always have a backup plan. I truly believe there’s a story in every situation, and I love finding the angle that brings it to life.

Writing is a huge part of my daily life. I can handwrite when I need to, but I’m much faster at typing. I also love changing up my environment when I write. Sometimes I’m at my desk or in my room, but I also enjoy writing in my dining room, out on the deck, in study rooms on Western’s campus, in Haggard Hall library, or outside on the lawn when the weather is nice. I write almost every day for hours, whether it’s journalism assignments or personal creative work. In my free time, I love writing fiction, especially fantasy, romance, and character-driven stories. I’m always building worlds, creating characters, and developing plotlines in my head. Storytelling is something that never stops for me; I always have ideas.

I’m especially excited to be writing and working with Greet Mill Creek. I feel genuinely grateful for the opportunity to contribute, grow as a writer, and tell meaningful stories in a professional space. Being part of Greet feels like an important step forward in my journey, and I’m really looking forward to what I’ll learn and create along the way.