PJ Randhawa, an investigative reporter with NBC Chicago, has received Northeastern Illinois University’s 2026 Distinguished Alumna Award, the highest honor the university presents to a graduate.
The university announced the recipients on July 14, following an awards ceremony held May 29 at its Chicago campus. The honor recognizes an individual achievement, a series of accomplishments or a career demonstrating outstanding impact.
Randhawa graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication, Media and Theatre. She later earned a master’s degree in journalism from DePaul University and built a broadcast career spanning local newsrooms in South Dakota, South Carolina, Missouri, Washington and Illinois.
Since returning to Chicago in 2023 as a consumer investigative reporter for NBC 5 Responds, Randhawa’s reporting has helped viewers recover more than $1 million. Her work examines consumer complaints, institutional failures and problems affecting residents who may struggle to obtain answers or refunds on their own.
Her journalism has earned seven Emmy Awards, two Edward R. Murrow Awards and a National Headliner Award. She was also named a 2023 DuPont finalist and has received honors from the Illinois News Broadcasters Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists.
Randhawa previously served as an investigative race and equity reporter at KING 5 in Seattle and as a lead investigative reporter at KSDK in St. Louis. Her earlier reporting exposed government mismanagement and contributed to policy changes involving sexual assault and cyberstalking.
The recognition also reflects her continuing relationship with Northeastern Illinois University. Randhawa delivered the university’s December 2025 commencement address, sharing how mentorship and her experience as an international student helped her develop confidence and pursue journalism. The university has identified her as the daughter of immigrants from Punjab, confirming her South Asian background.
Her award highlights the public-service role of investigative journalism at a time when local news organizations face financial pressure and shrinking reporting teams. Consumer investigations can produce direct results for individuals while also identifying systemic problems that require action from businesses or government agencies.
For South Asian Americans, Randhawa’s recognition brings visibility to a journalist whose work centers on accountability and practical community impact. Her career demonstrates how representation in newsrooms can extend beyond being visible on screen to shaping which stories are investigated and whose concerns receive sustained attention.
Key Takeaways About PJ Randhawa
- PJ Randhawa received Northeastern Illinois University’s 2026 Distinguished Alumna Award.
- The award is the university’s highest honor for a graduate.
- She is a consumer investigative reporter for NBC Chicago’s NBC 5 Responds.
- Her investigations have helped recover more than $1 million for viewers since 2023.
- Randhawa has earned seven Emmy Awards and two Edward R. Murrow Awards.
About ASAN
South Asian Spotlight is an initiative of the American South Asian Network (ASAN), a national nonprofit connecting and advancing younger South Asians across the United States through community, mentorship, leadership development, professional opportunity, representation, and well-being.
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