Every semester, NIU student interns work at Northern Public Radio, the broadcast arm of NIU, in the Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development. These students have a remarkable opportunity to learn how a real newsroom works and get hands-on work experience related to their fields of study.
Here are the Northern Public Radio student interns for fall 2026.
Cynthia Grijalba-Duran
Cynthia Grijalba-Duran is a Spanish major with a minor in deaf studies. She’ll be working with WNIJ Hola to help prepare the community newsletter, social media posts and translations and helping prepare for our downtown DeKalb Day of the Dead live engagement event.
Christian Romano
Christian Romano is a Communications major. He’ll be helping prepare newscasts, news reporting assignments and serve as All Things Considered producer.
Christian’s first interview segment aired on Sept. 28. Hear his conversation with DeKalb County League of Women Voters of DeKalb County President Christi Slavenas and Communications Chair Molly Trickey.
Alycia Burchfield
Alycia Burchfield is WNIJ’s Development & Marketing Intern for Fall 2026. She’s a marketing major working on a journalism minor. She’ll be working on various projects for some of the station’s membership and outreach programs, including the Studio A Concert Series and digital communications.
