EIU Media Relations

CASE CLOSED: EIU student’s love of true crime solidifies career path

(Charleston, IL) — From Charleston High School to the national newsroom, Olivia Bennett’s journey has been driven by curiosity, creativity, and a passion for storytelling. A Coles County native and 2023 graduate of Charleston High School, Olivia is a broadcast journalism major with a minor in criminology at Eastern Illinois University, already making a national name for herself in investigative reporting with a focus on true crime.

Her interest in true crime began early. “I’ve been watching true crime shows and listening to podcasts since I was very little,” Olivia says. From the investigative approach of Serial to the compelling narratives of Trafficked and Homicide Hunter, she has long been inspired by the way producers brought real cases and real people to life. She also credits Heart Starts Pounding for influencing the narrative techniques she now applies in her own reporting.

Since kindergarten, Olivia was writing little books—a passion for storytelling that evolved through high school and shaped her professional ambitions. Now a student at EIU, Olivia’s relationship with faculty members who are committed to helping her and other students are translating her long-term interests into meaningful, real-world experience. All evidence suggests her dreams are becoming a reality.

“The only reason I was able to do all this was because of the experience I gained through WEIU,” she says. Professors like Kelly Goodwin and Joe Astrouski have supported Olivia in brainstorming investigative projects and shaping longform storytelling. “Kelly is like a second mom to me—a supportive figure through my transition to college, especially for students leaving home for the first time.” Other faculty members like Jonathan Mattson and Drew Britton further strengthened her skills in radio and film production, giving her a versatile foundation for modern journalism.

EIU’s emphasis on experiential learning also allowed Olivia to pursue a transformative project in Cleveland, Ohio, as an investigative reporter for TruBlu Crime Streaming, a true crime network cofounded by former To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen. There, she produced a show focused on solving cold cases using new DNA evidence, traveling extensively, meeting sources in the field, and mastering the intricacies of investigative reporting—from public records requests to large-scale shoots in a professional environment.

“I could not ask for more. I learned so much about time management and how to organize large amounts of information for a variety of audiences,” Olivia says. Her Cleveland experience also helped her build valuable industry connections, establishing her reputation as a rising national journalist at a young age.

For Olivia, journalism is more than a career, it’s a responsibility. “Journalists provide accountability and help people make sense of complex issues,” she says. “Authenticity is essential. It’s about helping the public connect with each other on a personal level, delivering content they can trust and understand, and doing so in a way that strengthens the most foundational principles of our democracy.”

Beyond her academic pursuits, Olivia enjoys jazz singing, a cappella, horror films, kayaking and water recreation, and reading.

Olivia’s EIU journey exemplifies the experience EIU offers all students. She says the personalized mentorship, hands-on learning from day one, and opportunity to grow all have prepared her for success in a dynamic economy and evolving professional landscape.

“Whether students are pursuing journalism, business, law, medicine—EIU provides a supportive, flexible environment where curiosity, ambition, and talent can flourish.”

EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU's other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU's public information office at (217) 581-7400.