ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
PJ Randhawa to address Northeastern Illinois commencement
The investigative journalist and NEIU alumna will speak at the Dec. 14 ceremony in Chicago.
-
Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 04, Dec 2025
- 16:15 EST
- 21
PJ Randhawa / neiu.edu
Northeastern Illinois University named Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist PJ Randhawa as the speaker for its December 2025 commencement ceremony.
Northeastern president Katrina E. Bell-Jordan said Randhawa’s selection reflects her longstanding commitment to public-interest journalism. “Like many Northeastern students, PJ found a strong sense of community and mentorship at NEIU,” she said.
Also Read: Premera Blue Cross names Rajat Puri as COO
“Faculty describe her as dedicated, inquisitive and exceptionally hardworking, noting that she consistently went above and beyond in her academic pursuits,” she added.
Randhawa, born Prabhjot Kaur Randhawa in Winnipeg to immigrant parents from Punjab, came to Northeastern as an international student. “Before I came to NEIU, I wasn’t a standout student and I was painfully shy,” she said.
“Honestly, nobody expected much from me — including me. But at NEIU, studying media and communications and finding real mentorship from my professors gave me the confidence I’d been missing… The encouragement and experiences I gained at NEIU empowered me to find my voice, write my own story and dream bigger than anyone ever imagined,” she added,
After completing her undergraduate studies in 2008, Randhawa earned a master’s degree in journalism from DePaul University and entered the broadcast industry in 2011 as an anchor and reporter at KOTA-TV in Rapid City, South Dakota — a move that drew attention in Indian media for marking her as one of the first Sikh broadcast journalists in American television news.
Her career has since included political reporting at WIS-TV in South Carolina, investigative work at KSDK in St. Louis, and a race-and-equity reporting role at KING 5 in Seattle. She is currently the Consumer Investigative Reporter for NBC 5 Responds in Chicago.
Across more than a decade in journalism, Randhawa has received multiple honors, including six regional Emmy Awards, two Edward R. Murrow Awards,, a National NLGJA Excellence in Journalism Award, the Crystal Mic Award for Best Reporter from the Illinois News Broadcasters Association, and several Missouri Broadcasters Association and Society of Professional Journalists awards.
Earlier recognitions include the International Sikh Award for political reporting and the School Bell Award for education reporting.
Her investigations in St. Louis led to policy changes in policing, improved oversight in city and state systems and, in 2022, prompted the City of St. Louis to declare Jan. 14 as “PJ Randhawa Day.”
“PJ’s commitment to ethical storytelling, advocacy and public service reflects the values we uphold at Northeastern Illinois University,” President Bell-Jordan said. “Her achievements make her an inspiring choice to address our graduates as they prepare for meaningful leadership and service in their communities.”
The event will take place at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14, at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago. Attendance is ticketed for graduates and guests, and the program will be livestreamed on the university’s website.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login