Photo courtesy of Lisa Parker.Congratulations to the Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence (CJIE) Advanced Reporting students, who won a Crystal Pillar Award for Excellence at the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Emmy Awards on Nov. 1, 2025. Nupur Bosmiya, Sabrina Castle, Ryan Hinske, LiLi Jarvenpa, Aaliyah McFadden, Rose O'Keeffe, Josh Patt, Kiersten Riedford, Alana Schacher, and Matthew Warakomski won in the College Student Production-Hard News Report category for their story, “Heart-Breaking: Rideshare Drivers in Chicago Suddenly Deactivated, Left Jobless." The story, published on the NBC5 Chicago website, examines how rideshare companies deactivated drivers under a Chicago law, leaving them unable to earn an income while attempting to navigate a complex appeals and reinstatement process.
Advanced Reporting students Isabella Ali, Lina Gebhardt, Ryan Hinske, Morgan Kirsch, Aaliyah McFadden, Josh Patt, Lucia Preziosi, and Annabelle Rivera were also nominated in the same category for their story “The Hemp Loophole: Why Unregulated THC Products Flourish in Illinois," also published on the NBC5 Chicago website.
CJIE provides students in Advanced Reporting courses the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and produce work for major Chicago news outlets. Founded by media veterans Carol Marin and Don Moseley, the center emphasizes truth, fairness, accuracy, and context, training students and helping them navigate the world of investigative reporting. In 2024, former NBC5 Chicago investigative reporter Lisa Parker joined the center as its new director, continuing the mission of training and mentoring aspiring journalists.
This Crystal Pillar win continues a tradition of award-winning student media at DePaul, including The DePaulia student newspaper, news broadcast Good Day DePaul, Radio DePaul/Radio DePaul Sports, and 14 East Magazine.