From the Graphic to CBS News: Rudabeh Shahbazi's ('04) Journey of Purpose

Despite the Emmy awards, the recognition, and the public profile, CBS News anchor Rudabeh Shahbazi is quick to dismiss any notion that journalism is glamorous.

“If your focus is how you look on camera or sitting behind the anchor desk, it might not be the path for you,” Shahbazi explained. “It’s not glamorous. You probably won’t be rich. You’ll sacrifice weekends with your family, wake up in the middle of the night, and sometimes put yourself in dangerous situations.”

And yet, despite those challenges, there’s nothing she would rather do. For Shahbazi, the privilege of witnessing and sharing others’ stories is not only professionally fulfilling but deeply tied to her sense of purpose. 

“When you truly love what you do, it’s all worth it,” she reflected. “Using your voice to tell people’s stories—there’s nothing like it.”

That sense of purpose was both discovered and forged at her alma mater, Pepperdine University—a place Shahbazi recalls felt like home from the moment she stepped onto campus. Drawn to its commitment to the holistic development of students and its emphasis on serving others, she found deep alignment with the University’s guiding philosophy, “Freely ye received, freely give.” That ethos became more than an idea; it became foundational to how she understands both her work and her calling.

Catching the Bug

While Shahbazi always knew she wanted to write, the idea of a career in reporting and journalism hadn't occurred to her until a fateful night at Pepperdine. A good friend who was an editor at the Graphic, Pepperdine’s student newspaper, called in a favor, needing a last-minute editorial on public beach access. Shahbazi agreed, and in that moment, she "caught the bug."

That impromptu assignment launched her into journalism classes, where she found inspiration and real-world experience, staying with the Graphic throughout her college career. Despite her success in television today as a CBS News anchor, she believes the fundamentals she learned remain timeless: basic investigating, news writing, curiosity, and old-school reporting.

Shahbazi credited her journalism professors—Michael Jordan, former professor emeritus who taught journalism and media law; Ken Waters (‘72, MA ‘74, MA '77), Professor Emeritus of Journalism; and Elizabeth Smith (MA ’03, EdD ’16), associate professor of journalism and director of Pepperdine Graphic Media—for shaping her career. She reflected that Jordan’s daily quizzes on the newspaper and testing on AP style instilled discipline, while Waters and Smith encouraged her to diversify her writing styles. 

Rudabeh Shahbazi

"They all took extra time to mentor me, and they didn’t have to do that," Shahbazi noted. "Those are skills and lessons I still use every single day."

Empathy as the Backbone of a Career

Shahbazi is grateful for Pepperdine’s emphasis on a greater purpose—a concept she views as an awareness, gratitude, and appreciation for other people and their circumstances. This perspective instilled empathy, which she calls "the backbone of my career."

Her job, she explained, is about "getting to the why," understanding where people are coming from, even when she doesn't agree with them. "You can be the richest, smartest, most educated, privileged person in the world, but without a sense of service and a greater purpose, what’s the point? Are you really fulfilled?"

Whether through small, everyday acts or moments of profound impact, she believes in the power of showing up for others. Reflecting on seasons of personal hardship—including illness, loss, and grief—she points to the strength she drew from the support of others as a reminder that even the simplest gestures can make a lasting difference.

“My experiences at Pepperdine taught me to always look for those opportunities—and to make time for them," said Shahbazi. "It’s ingrained in my sense of calling to lift up others when I can.” 

Faith, Fairness, and Storytelling

The study of faith at Pepperdine, including world religion and the Old and New Testaments, proved fundamental to Shahbazi’s understanding of the world. She believes that faith, regardless of one's belief system, is what drives people to do extraordinary things. Understanding it is crucial for interpreting current events, politics, and interpersonal relationships.

As a seasoned storyteller, Shahbazi views her duty as being fair and understanding what motivates people. She thinks back to the formative experiences of her youth and the people who helped her enter the profession. Now, when reporting, she carries that mindset, striving to treat interview subjects with the same compassion she would want for her own family.

"People invite me into their homes every night and trust my authority based on my experience, record, and work ethic, and with so many choices of information out there, that is such a privilege, and I never take it for granted," she explained.

Journalism, in Shahbazi's experience, is constantly interesting and exciting. It offers access to the whole range of human emotion, allows her to witness history, and introduces her to extraordinary people: "Sometimes your work helps find a murderer, raises funds for a dying child, saves an animal, makes someone famous, focuses attention on someone without a voice who needs help, reconnects family members . . ." said Shahbazi. "It can also teach people about the world or help them look in a different way at people they thought were their enemies.” 

For Shahbazi, the reward comes when her work makes a difference. "Sometimes, you change a life…That’s what’s rewarding about my job."