From Columbia College Chicago to CNN: Katherine Iorio’s Career Journey Toward an Emmy Award

Campus Communications Staff / Feb 12, 2025

Columbia College Chicago Journalism alum Katherine Iorio ’13 wins Emmy for CNN's breaking news coverage of the Israel-Hamas War as part of CNN's team that covered outbreak of Israel-Hamas conflict.

When Katherine Iorio graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2013 with a degree in Journalism, she had no idea that a decade later she would win an Emmy for CNN's breaking news coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. She did, though, thanks to her hard work and valuable learning opportunities offered at Columbia College Chicago.

"I was fortunate enough to work with incredible mentors like Jackie Spinner, who pushed me to dive right into the journalism world," Iorio recalls. “What I learned at Columbia set the stage for everything I’ve done since.”

Making the Most Out of Internships at Columbia

During her time as a student, Iorio made the most of every internship opportunity, including stints with CBS News' investigative unit as an investigative reporter at CBS Chicago, a public relations specialist for State Representative Cynthia Soto, and a blogger for Get Real Football.

“I did so much in the two years I was at Columbia,” says Iorio, a transfer student from Harper College in Palatine, Ill. “The internships I found — with the guidance of Jennifer Halperin at the Career Center — were a game changer. I had a long list of experiences on my resume when I graduated, which made all the difference in securing a full-time job right after.”

Study Abroad Program Experience Sparks a Passion

Another pivotal experience was a reporting assignment during a Columbia study abroad trip to Dublin, Ireland. There, Iorio wrote a story on the impact of gambling on local communities, which helped spark her passion for international journalism.

“I realized I wanted to be a foreign correspondent, telling stories around the world,” she says. “That experience made me more confident in chasing a global journalism career.”

After graduation, Iorio pursued a master’s degree in International Journalism at City University of London. She built her portfolio further with a job at CBS News in London as an assistant news desk editor, and her career quickly took off.

Covering Breaking News and Earning an Emmy at CNN

In 2015, Iorio joined CNN International as an associate producer. She climbed the ranks, becoming a live shot producer and eventually a line producer, where she now organizes and formats the entire hour of CNN International's 11 a.m. show.

katherion iorio at cnn

When the Israel-Hamas war broke out, Iorio’s skills were put to the test in a high-pressure situation. “We had only 10 people in the newsroom, and we were doing 10 hours of continuous coverage with very little information,” she says. "But we pulled it off, and I was so proud of how our small team handled the chaos."

That coverage helped CNN win an Emmy for Best Breaking News Coverage. Iorio remembers the moment fondly, crediting the team’s effort: “When I received my Emmy, they all came to me and said, 'We wouldn't have won this without you.' It was an unforgettable team effort.”

A Columbia Education Pays Off

Iorio credits her Columbia education with preparing her for high-pressure situations like the one she faced during the war coverage. A class in multi-platform journalism, which taught her to adapt stories for broadcast, digital, and social media, was particularly valuable in her current role at CNN International.

“I use that class every single day,” she explains. “At CNN, we’re not just creating content for TV. We’re adapting stories for digital platforms, social media, and more. That class gave me the flexibility to think in multiple formats at once.”

Gratitude for Her Columbia Experience

Today, Iorio feels lucky to be in a position where she gets to share important stories with the world. “I love being part of a team making an impact, whether it’s covering major events like the Israel-Hamas conflict or sharing other stories from around the globe. It’s incredibly rewarding work.”

She credits Columbia College Chicago for giving her the confidence to pursue her dreams and tell stories on a global stage.