The University of Illinois Springfield is pleased to announce the appointment of Priyanka Deo Jain as the new assistant director of media strategy in the Department of Media Strategy.

Priyanka Deo Jain, a distinguished professional with an impressive international background, joins UIS from The Times of India Group in New Delhi, India, where she played a key role in the chief operating officer's office and hosted her own digital show. With a robust career at Associated Broadcasting as an anchor and deputy editor, English, she was also invited to be part of the communications team for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2019 Lok Sabha national elections.

Notably, Deo Jain is recognized as a national political commentator in India and a prominent voice among the youth on social media. Her work has garnered attention from influential figures globally, including Prime Minister Modi himself. Her exceptional achievements also extend to establishing and growing a YouTube channel that covered positive developments across the country to support PM Modi’s campaign effort.

"We are thrilled to welcome Priyanka back to UIS as the assistant director of media strategy. Her wealth of international experience, ability to create engaging content and expertise in digital media will be instrumental in connecting our digital platform with university stakeholders and the broader local, national and international community," said Blake Wood, UIS director of media strategy. "Priyanka's unique perspective as an alum and her time as a student-athlete adds an extra layer of connection to UIS. We are excited about the impact she will make as part of our team."

In her role as assistant director of media strategy, Deo Jain will play a crucial role in managing public relations messaging and strategy for UIS. She will oversee the top-level UIS social media accounts and serve as the media spokesperson in the director's absence.

Reflecting on her appointment, she expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "My student experience at UIS never left me. It is a special place that feels like home, and I would pick no other place to grow my career and make meaningful contributions to the university. I look forward to working in an academic setting and making an impact."

Deo Jain holds graduate degrees from Harvard University, the University of Southern California (USC), the London School of Economics (LSE) and her undergraduate degrees from the University of Illinois Springfield.

As a former captain of the UIS women's NCAA varsity tennis team and a nationally accomplished policy debater, Deo Jain excels across multiple disciplines. She achieved a notable third rank in European volleyball while at LSE. At UIS, she gained recognition for significant contributions to the Illinois Innocence Project, earning a front-page feature in the Chicago Tribune.

Her remarkable extracurricular achievements include receiving the Lincoln Medallion and being named a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, where she delivered a speech at the Old State Capitol. Deo was also the UIS commencement speaker in 2010.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Deo Jain continues to play tennis, practices yoga and enjoys reading. Her greatest joy comes from the delightful chaos of raising her daughter Diya with her husband Ankit and their German Shepherd, Troy.