Regina Waldroup Biography: NBC 5 Chicago Reporter & Journalism Educator, Birthdate, Birthplace, Age, Height, Ethnicity, Education, Profession, Spouse, Children, Net Worth

“Every story deserves to be told with clarity, compassion, and truth.” — Regina Waldroup

Regina Waldroup is an Emmy‑winning American journalist and general assignment reporter for NBC 5 Chicago (WMAQ‑TV). Born on November 5 in Chicago’s south suburbs, she has worked at CBS, NBC, and Fox stations across the U.S. before returning home in 2013. In 2025, she is trending for her coverage of Dolton’s political turmoil and protests against Mayor Tiffany Henyard, part of her ongoing reporting on suburban governance controversies. Her challenges include navigating sensitive political stories, balancing teaching with reporting, and maintaining privacy while sharing glimpses of her family life.

Timeline Overview

Year	Milestone
1970s–1980s	Born November 5 in Chicago’s south suburbs
1990s	Studied journalism at Roosevelt University (B.A.)
2000s	Earned M.A. in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago
2000	Began career at NBC 5 as desk assistant
2000s	Reported for CBS, NBC, and Fox affiliates in Oregon and New York
2013	Returned to NBC 5 Chicago as general assignment reporter
2015–Present	Adjunct journalism instructor at Columbia College Chicago and College of DuPage
2025	Trending for coverage of Dolton protests and “Super Mayor” controversies

Quick Facts

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Regina Waldroup
Birthdate	November 5 (year undisclosed)
Birthplace	Chicago, Illinois, USA
Age	Estimated late 40s–early 50s
Height	5 ft 5 in
Ethnicity	African‑American
Education	B.A. Journalism (Roosevelt University); M.A. Journalism (Columbia College Chicago)
Profession	Reporter, Anchor, Educator
Employer	NBC 5 Chicago
Known For	Suburban political coverage, Dolton investigations
Spouse	Married to David Mendell
Children	One daughter, Maya Anne
Net Worth	Estimated $500,000–$1 million

Early Life & Education

Regina Waldroup grew up in the southern suburbs of Chicago, the youngest of eight siblings. Her upbringing in a large family instilled values of cooperation, resilience, and community.

She pursued journalism at Roosevelt University, earning her bachelor’s degree, and later completed a master’s in journalism at Columbia College Chicago. Her academic path reflected her passion for storytelling and media ethics.

Regina Waldroup photo - wikiiTrends — **Regina Waldroup photo – wikiiTrends**

Career Background

Early Career Waldroup began her career at NBC 5 Chicago in 2000 as a desk assistant under investigative reporter Renee Ferguson. She later worked at CBS, NBC, and Fox affiliates in Oregon and New York, gaining experience across diverse markets.

NBC 5 Chicago In 2013, Waldroup returned to NBC 5 Chicago as a general assignment reporter. She covers breaking news, suburban politics, and community issues, often reporting live from contentious village board meetings and protests.

Educator Waldroup also serves as an adjunct journalism instructor at Columbia College Chicago and the College of DuPage. At Columbia, she teaches courses where students produce weekly news programs for Chicago cable television.

Personal Interests Outside of journalism, Waldroup enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening, and caring for her pet turtles.

Challenges & Achievements

Challenges

Political Sensitivity: Covering Dolton’s governance controversies requires careful balance to maintain fairness.
Dual Roles: Managing responsibilities as both a reporter and educator.
Public Visibility: Maintaining family privacy while being a public figure.

Achievements

Emmy Award‑winning journalist.
Built a career across multiple states before returning to Chicago.
Educator shaping future journalists at Columbia College and College of DuPage.
Recognized for community‑focused reporting and suburban political coverage.

Family & Parents

Regina Waldroup is married to David Mendell, a journalist and author. Together, they have a daughter, Maya Anne, and live in Oak Park, Illinois.

Her parents raised her in Chicago’s south suburbs, encouraging her pursuit of education and journalism. While she keeps their identities private, she credits them with instilling resilience and curiosity.

Salary & Net Worth

Salary: Estimated $70,000–$120,000 annually as NBC 5 reporter.
Net Worth: Approximately $500,000–$1 million.

Legacy

Regina Waldroup’s legacy lies in her ability to blend journalism with education and community engagement. From Dolton’s political controversies to classroom mentorship, she has built a career defined by resilience, accuracy, and connection with viewers.

Her story reflects the challenges of modern journalism, the importance of empathy in reporting, and the resilience required to thrive in a demanding industry. As she continues to cover suburban politics in 2025, Waldroup remains a trusted voice in Chicago journalism.