The UI chapter of NABJ was founded in 1991. While the chapter is small, it is active and has experienced its share of accomplishments. The chapter was named NABJ Student Chapter of the Year in 1996, and was one of only three finalists for the same award in 2004. Its members have moved on to accomplish career goals in many media-related fields.

Each semester, NABJ members work together to publish NURU (Swahili for "Ray of Light"), the chapter's newsletter and produce The Word, a talk show started in 2003 by Brandon Campbell.