Priyanka Deo is an instructor in the School of Communications and Media and director for Student Media.
Can you give a brief timeline of how your career led you to UIS?
My journey to the University of Illinois Springfield began as an undergraduate, studying political science and sociology/anthropology. I also was a CAP Honors student, received a varsity tennis scholarship and served as captain of the women’s varsity tennis team during my senior year.
After UIS, I earned a master’s degree from the London School of Economics, followed by a second master’s as a dean’s fellow at the University of Southern California. I worked in consulting in Washington, D.C., before applying to Harvard to complete my third master’s degree, focusing on international education policy and analysis.
At Harvard, I launched an education policy show on Cambridge Community TV, which gained traction and led to an invitation to join Prime Minister Modi’s 2019 re-election campaign. As part of his core communications team, I led national outreach to young voters across India through digital and broadcast media. I later became a national news anchor and policy analyst at TV9 and hosted my own show with The Times of India Group.
After five years in India, I returned to UIS to pursue my doctorate in public administration and teach in the School of Communication and Media. I also lead student media through the UIS Observer and serve as the U.S. correspondent for NDTV, India.
What type of research do you do?
As a faculty member and current applied doctoral candidate, my research focuses on the need for media literacy and the role of communication in public administration. Specifically, I aim to help higher education students recognize and counter misinformation and disinformation, particularly in the digital age. Having worked in India’s national elections, I witnessed firsthand the challenges of navigating and combating fake news and disinformation on a global scale.
What fascinates me most is the intersection of media, technology and public policy—how digital platforms can be harnessed for transparency but also manipulated to mislead and cause harm. My goal is to develop strategies that equip students to effectively manage and navigate communication in this rapidly evolving landscape.
What's the most rewarding project you have worked on?
One of my most rewarding projects was leading a UIS recruitment trip to India in October 2024 with our dean and fellow colleagues. Our goal was to raise awareness among international students about opportunities in communication and public administration. The Indian schools we visited had previously been unaware of the possibilities for continued study and career development, but after our presentation, all were inspired to apply—and did.
Beyond expanding UIS’s global reach, the trip was deeply personal. As someone of Indian origin, I had the opportunity to share my journey and help others see the potential UIS offers. It was meaningful to open doors for others, just as UIS once did for me.
What did you like to do growing up?
From a young age, I was drawn to public speaking, politics and media—whether delivering speeches or becoming a Coon Hardy Policy Debate Scholar at Northwestern University. My passion for communication led to a career spanning media, public administration and academia, driven by a deep interest in how media shapes public opinion and political decisions.
Tennis also taught me teamwork and leadership—skills that have guided my professional journey. At UIS, I’m grateful to combine my interests in research, service and community (and cheer on the Prairie Stars, too).
Getting to Know You is recurring feature in the Chancellor's Newsletter to highlight our many talented UIS employees.