Writing from a Conservative Angle for USA Today

When Nicole Russell graduated from Cedarville University pursuing a career in law, she did not envision a career as a nationally published opinion columnist. Today, Russell writes for USA Today, where she brings a conservative perspective to conversations about politics, culture, faith and family. 

A 2004 graduate with a degree in English, Russell built a career in journalism and political commentary before joining the publication’s opinion team in 2024. As a conservative columnist at one of the nation’s most widely recognized news organizations, Russell writes about complex cultural and political issues for readers representing a broad range of viewpoints. 

“I’ve loved the privilege to write for a major outlet, to talk about being conservative and about my faith,” said Russell. “I’m lucky to be at USA Today, which publishes a wide range of political viewpoints, including several conservatives. Within the organization we may not always agree with each other, but they understand that a lot of the country wants to hear a conservative view.”

Russell’s path to national commentary wasn’t linear. Originally, she planned to attend law school, choosing to major in English after several attorneys encouraged her to develop the reading, writing and analytical skills the profession requires.

Those same skills eventually became the foundation of her career as a commentator.

“I learned to write well, analyze and think critically,” said Russell. “Even though I wasn’t a journalism major, that English background turned out to be the perfect training for what I do today as a commentator.”

After graduation, Russell initially pursued a career in law. Conversations with female attorneys about the realities of combining law and motherhood, however, made her reconsider that path. After marrying and starting a family, she began looking for a career that could combine her interests in news, politics and writing with the flexibility she wanted as a mother.

She began freelance writing during her children’s nap times, gradually building a career while raising her family.

Russell eventually moved from general magazine work into political commentary, contributing opinion pieces to publications like The Federalist and The Washington Examiner. As she reached new career milestones while raising four children, her writing increasingly focused on themes including freedom, free markets, faith and motherhood.

She later joined the Fort Worth Star-Telegram as an opinion writer, a role that helped her move from freelance writing into institutional journalism.

In 2024, Russell joined USA Today as a conservative opinion columnist, bringing her perspective on politics, culture, faith and family to a national readership.

Russell also connects with readers through a weekly USA Today newsletter, where she explores national political, cultural and social issues and discusses how her Christian worldview informs her perspective. 

Her commentary has led to opportunities beyond the written page. After Russell wrote about the recent Lindsay Clancy case and the public response surrounding it, she was invited to discuss the issue on television, including appearances on CBS Mornings and a recent episode of Oprah Winfrey’s podcast. These opportunities have expanded the reach of her commentary and allowed her to participate in broader national conversations.

For Russell, her faith also provides a framework for deciding what issues to address and how to approach them.

“I try to filter everything I write through the lens of my Christian faith,” said Russell. “It doesn’t mean every single column explicitly talks about God, but my beliefs shape what I think is true, what I think is necessary to say, and what kind of culture I want us to be.”

For Russell, the journey from English major to national opinion columnist has reinforced the value of learning to write, think critically and communicate with conviction. Her goal now is to use that voice to engage readers on the issues she believes matter most while remaining grounded in the faith that shapes how she sees the world.

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduateand graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,542 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.