Michael Theis

Career Trajectory Analysis

Michael Theis has carved a niche as a multimedia storyteller and education-focused journalist, blending traditional reporting with visual and audio journalism. A 2006 graduate of Shepherd University, he began his career as a local government reporter before transitioning to data journalism at The Chronicle of Philanthropy in 2019. Today, he serves as a photo and media editor for both The Chronicle of Higher Education and The Chronicle of Philanthropy, where he curates and produces content that illuminates systemic challenges and innovations in academia.

Key Articles & Impact

• A College Partnership Saves a Newspaper, Helps a Rural Community, and Prepares Its Students for the Future

This piece explores the University of Georgia’s collaboration with a local newspaper to preserve community journalism while providing hands-on experience for students. Theis highlights how the partnership addresses rural news deserts and equips students with practical skills. His use of interviews with students, faculty, and community members underscores the symbiotic relationship between academia and local media. The article’s emphasis on experiential learning and civic engagement has been cited in discussions about curriculum innovation.

• The Rural Recruiter: Daryl Burleigh’s Road Map for Reaching Students in Far-Flung Corners of Pennsylvania

Theis shadows recruiter Daryl Burleigh to document strategies for engaging rural students, who are often overlooked in higher education. Through immersive storytelling and photojournalism, he reveals the logistical and emotional hurdles faced by these students. The article’s granular focus on personalized outreach—such as hosting coffee chats in community centers—has influenced recruitment policies at institutions aiming to diversify their student bodies.

• Students at three colleges answered four questions from *The Chronicle*

This video-driven project amplifies student voices on college affordability and career readiness. Theis synthesizes responses from diverse campuses, revealing common anxieties about debt and job prospects. By prioritizing raw, unfiltered perspectives, the piece challenges administrators to rethink support systems for economically vulnerable students.

Beat Analysis & Pitching Recommendations

Focus on Rural Education Innovations

Theis consistently highlights programs bridging urban-rural divides, such as the STARS College Network. Pitches should emphasize scalable solutions, like partnerships between universities and rural high schools, or technology initiatives reducing geographic barriers. For example, his coverage of virtual college fairs demonstrates interest in EdTech’s role in accessibility.

Leverage Multimedia Storytelling

As a visual editor, Theis prioritizes stories with strong photo/video potential. Proposals incorporating documentary-style elements or data visualizations—such as interactive maps of education deserts—align with his portfolio. His article on Afghan refugee Edris Tajik paired written narrative with evocative imagery, showcasing multimedia’s emotional impact.

Highlight Underrepresented Student Experiences

First-generation students, foster youth, and those balancing work/studies feature prominently in Theis’s work. Successful pitches might profile nontraditional support networks, like campus food pantries or emergency grant programs. His piece on David Billhimer, a student with a foster-care background, exemplifies this focus.

Awards and Achievements

While Theis’s individual accolades aren’t publicly listed, his work at The Chronicle has contributed to the outlet’s National Magazine Award nominations. His 2019 transition from data journalism to multimedia leadership reflects institutional recognition of his adaptability. Notably, his coverage of the Tuskegee University bioethics center revival was cited in NLM’s ethics bibliography, underscoring his reporting’s academic relevance [7].