Olivia Cobiskey

Olivia Cobiskey has worn both fatigues and Hanbok in her quest for a good story. After completing her undergraduate work at the University of New Mexico and logging a brief stint at the Albuquerque Tribune, she found herself in Korea. There she finished her military duty in the Army Reserves as an intelligence analyst, and taught in both the Korean public school system and Yonsei University. After four years as a "global citizen" of a dozen countries, Olivia decided to return to the United States to continue her education. A firm believer in serendipity, she closed her eyes and threw a dart at a map of the U.S. The dart hit Chicago. She enrolled in the master’s in public affairs reporting program at Columbia College Chicago, where she also served as an undergraduate journalism instructor. She has worked for The Chicago Tribune, Tribune Media Services, Red Eye (Chicago), Illinois Issues, StreetWise, Zipple.com, JUF News, The Saudi Gazette, and newsletters for the National Restaurant Association and the Association of Women Journalists. Her articles have also been published in other major-market newspapers, including The Los Angeles Times. She is a recipient of several scholarships and awards, and was most recently named the 2004 David S. Barr winner for an article she wrote for The Saudi Gazette and StreetWise on a domestic violence shelter for Muslim women. Olivia knows her time at the United Nations Association of the United States of America will help her to continue covering international issues close to her heart. Although she is already experiencing "kitty separation anxiety," she is excited to start the summer fellowship program at The Poynter Institute and hopes to be working in the field as an international correspondent soon.

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