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India Mackinson

Cohort 1

Jurisdiction: North Topsail

University: UNC-Chapel Hill

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

Biography

India Mackinson served her fellowship in the Town of North Topsail Beach. She worked with the town manager to improve communication with citizens and to protect the town’s valuable natural resources. Her contributions included overhauling public communications procedures in the wake of Hurricane Florence. Mackinson was in charge of publicizing the Town Board’s opposition to offshore energy exploration and led multiple initiatives at the federal and state levels on topics including offshore oil drilling and wetlands conservation. She also created an online map that allowed users to easily sxplore the Town’s comprehensive shoreline management plan.

Before LFNC

Mackinson graduated with highest distinction from UNC-Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a minor in media and journalism. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society and Honors Carolina laureate. During her time at Carolina, she worked with the Coastal Studies Institute and researched environmental decision-making and science education on the Outer Banks. She also worked as an environmental health reporter for North Carolina Health News and as a communications intern for UNC Research’s Endeavors Magazine.

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