Radio Activities: Extracurricular College Radio and Academic Success
Social Sciences
Socy 195A, Socy 195B, Socy 195C
Student-run, non-commercial, community radio stations are programmed across the United States at a variety of affiliated universities. Research about educational radio programs has predominantly focused on the impact of educational radio programming on local listener bases. This research has reflected various abilities of radio stations to share local resources, facilitate community building, and share educational lessons through radio. The impacts of college radio station operations on involved student staff and programmers have been largely left unstudied. This thesis project explores the experiences of involved students at the various college radio stations within the University of California Radio Network, or UCRN. Data was collected through an analysis of related literature and a survey completed by 262 currently enrolled student staff members at UC affiliated college radio stations. This research illuminated patterns among different demographics of students’ involvement, particularly in gender identity and sexuality. The data also suggest that certain academic and professional skills are positively or neutrally associated with long term involvement or leadership positions at college radio stations.
