Behind the Scenes Profile

(Please see Liana Winternitz's for credit)

Susie Kuo

KSSU.COM Advisor

Susie Kuo is currently in her first semester with the title of Advisor at KSSU, Sacramento State University’s student run radio station. Her involvement with the station started seven years ago in her sophomore year. She decided to volunteer for the radio station as an on-air DJ. She worked her way from DJ to core staff assistant, hip hop genre director, special projects manager, and music director.

During this time she earned her master’s degree in art history, graduating in 2007. With the start of the fall 2009 semester she was promoted to the position of station advisor overseeing the management department. This promotion came due to her ability to understand what the station needs, allowing for consistency and stability in a difficult environment due to the high turnover rate.

Sac State student Radio

KSSU has benefitted from Kuo’s involvement in many ways. When the station moved over from AM radio to streaming online, Kuo did not allow that transition to negatively affect the principles of KSSU. Kuo promoted quality programming while maintaining industry connections therefore aiding the station in its growth. She was recognized for her efforts at the CMJ annual awards. CMJ, or the College Music Journal combines charts from stations all over Northern America and publishes these charts and other information as a reference for college radio stations on new music. She won the award for college music director of the year in 2007, and was nominated again in 2008 and is anticipating another win for 2009. The radio station itself is nominated for 12 awards later this month.

This recognition, along with seven nominations for the station last year have become a source of pride for not only the volunteers, but also Associated Students Incorporated. ASI is the body in charge of student run programs at Sacramento State University, including student government and student life and services. These programs offer opportunities for student leadership and involvement. KSSU is a program of ASI, so this recognition by CMJ is very important for their relationship.

Why Student Radio?

Sacramento State University’s student run radio station, KSSU provides broadcasting experience to students of all majors and backgrounds. Students do not need previous radio experience to participate, because KSSU provides all the information and training needed to produce and host a radio show. The station is free format, meaning that content is decided by each individual student DJ. This is different that mainstream radio stations, where programming is arranged by one program director.

Student radio is not only a great opportunity for students, but beneficial for listeners as well. Listeners get to hear other point of views and programming straight from their peers. KSSU station advisor, Susie Kuo stated, “The students are paying for this program to exist, so if you are paying for it, ideally you should be getting something out of it.” She feels that another reason to listen to and participate with student radio is because our tuition helps fund ASI and therefore KSSU.

By Brit Carter and Liana Winternitz see Liana's.