Hi, I'm Izzy.
I graduated cum laude with a B.A. in journalism and minor in Spanish from Loyola Marymount University (‘20) in Los Angeles. Upon graduating, I was named Outstanding Journalism Student of Class of 2020 by the English and journalism faculty at LMU. Shortly after finishing my bachelor’s, I moved to Chicago where I earned a master’s degree at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism (‘21) in social justice and investigative reporting.
After finishing my master’s I dove head-first into local freelance reporting and have since fallen completely in love with Chicago and the people who call it home. Through dogged local reporting, I generate interest in local affairs and directly involve people from all walks of life in the conversation about what is happening in their community. My reporting has been published by WBEZ, Block Club Chicago, The Daily Line, Borderless Magazine, and Harvey World Herald.
Starting in first grade, I attended a dual-language fluency Spanish immersion school in Seattle that continued until high school graduation. I started at LMU as a political science major with a dream of building a system in which all people can have a hand in the creation and carrying out of policies and programs that govern their lives. I found a new avenue to achieve this long-held goal after I enrolled in my first journalism course and never looked back. By both informing and engaging my community through storytelling, I hope to work equitably against injustice and build agency at the community level.
While earning my bachelor’s degree, interned at National Public Radio's Los Angeles affiliate station, KCRW, on their “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” programs. I also gained editorial experience as an intern for MovieMaker Magazine and video and social reporting experience as an intern at Vertical Networks' Snapchat channel BROTHER HQ. I was also one of three students selected to assist PBS NewsHour with their live coverage of the 2019 Democratic Party Debates.
Thanks for coming, staying and reading. Feel free to email me with any questions.
isabellestroobandt13[at]gmail[dot]com
/ isabellestroobandt13[at]gmail[dot]com / serious inquiries only / have a good day /