By Chris Weber, Phoenix Staff Writer
On Nov. 2, the Governors State Center for Community Media (CCM) will launch Radio Jaguar and host a panel with local media makers to celebrate its first year.
Learn more about the Annual Fall Conversation on Equity and Inclusion in Media: Radio Edit, the Radio Jaguar launch, and other events scheduled for Nov 2 here.
“The panel of speakers that will be on campus for the CCM’s annual fall conversation this Thursday bring a wealth of expertise in Chicago community radio and will give students an opportunity to learn first-hand what it’s like to work in media locally,” said CCM Director Novia Pagone. “We’re excited to hear their perspectives on where radio is going and how we leverage community media to foster more equitable and inclusive spaces on campus and beyond.”
In September of 2022, Governors State University officially launched the CCM with a vision to empower students and faculty in television and radio production, journalism, storytelling, and media management. Now, one year later, the CCM reflects on a year filled with achievements, growth, and community engagement.
“One year after its official launch, the CCM team continues to support our mission by centering student opportunities to gain hands-on experience in television and radio production, journalism, storytelling, and media management,” said Pagone. “Over the last year, we’ve supported faculty and staff who want to leverage media to enhance their research, coached students as they told their personal stories live and competed for prizes, and recruited and guided students who produced the monthly GSU TV television show, the Phoenix Digital News, and the pre-launch preparations for Radio Jaguar.”
Throughout the past year, the CCM provided students with invaluable hands-on experience in media-related fields. From producing live storytelling to facilitating investigative journalism internships, the center has been an incubator for creative minds to flourish.
One of the major highlights of the CCM’s inaugural year was the strategic move of GSU TV’s monthly episode from the Comcast public access channel to CAN TV. This shift effectively doubled the show’s reach, now connecting with over 1 million households. The show is also accessible on the CAN TV Roku app now, further extending its accessibility.
The pre-launch event for Radio Jaguar, held on April 26, marked a significant milestone in the center’s journey. With the official broadcast slated to commence on Nov. 2, the CCM has demonstrated its commitment to nurturing new voices in radio. In September, eight students completed the inaugural Radio Staff Training Workshop. This program, set to be offered again in February 2024, equips students with the skills they need to excel in radio production.
The impact of the CCM already has reached far beyond the campus. GSU TV and Phoenix alumni are making significant strides in their careers. They are contributing to a growing list of media organizations and adding new perspectives to the communities they serve
The CCM also has been instrumental in supporting research endeavors. Media Research Institute Fellow Lara Stache completed a project on the value of Gender and Sexuality Studies in understanding our lived experiences. Additionally, the center awarded 2023-2024 Media Research Institute Fellowships to Dr. Jessica Bonner for her work on stroke prevention and awareness and Dr. Phyllis West for her research on access to higher education for system-impacted individuals.
Spring 2023 witnessed the successful inaugural First Voice Student Storytelling Competition. This event, featuring nationally recognized storyteller and host Shannon Cason, highlighted the power of diverse voices in storytelling and the importance of sharing our unique narratives.
The CCM established a founding Advisory Board comprised of industry leaders from Chicago and beyond last year. Co-chaired by Julie Keck and Summer Fields Hayda, this board provides direction and motivation for the center to offer top-notch programming, champion local narratives and a variety of storytellers, cultivate an actively engaged audience, foster the development of media skills across various academic disciplines, and create pathways to the industry for students.
“Looking ahead to our next phase, we’ll be raising funds to support student programming, connecting with the community, and welcoming folks who want to contribute to the public conversation started at the center’s inception,” said Pagone. “As we move toward our next phase, the CCM invites students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to join us in fulfilling our mission. There are opportunities for all, no matter your field of study or level of expertise.”
Please visit the GSU website for more information about the CCM and register here for the Radio Jaguar Launch and Annual Fall Conversation on Equity and Inclusion in Media: Radio Edit.