On Nov. 2, Governors State University introduced Radio Jaguar, an internet station created to serve the university and surrounding communities with a diverse range of content.
Radio Jaguar is an initiative from the Center for Community Media (CCM) at GSU. The station will provide a valuable platform for students to gain practical experience in broadcasting while fostering a sense of community within the university and the surrounding area.
Deborah James, now the division chair for the College of Arts and Sciences at GSU, was the founding director of the CCM. James worked to establish the radio station along with the current CCM director, Novia Pagone, and Lara Hrycaj, an assistant professor and faculty advisor for the new station.
James addressed a crowd of eager listeners at the Nov. 2 launch event.
“When you think about Radio Jaguar, I want you to think about the big picture,” she said. “I want you to consider how your voice brings equity and accessibility to this campus. I want you to think about what it means to empower not only you, your friends, and your community but everyone who can listen.”
Radio Jaguar is now accepting proposals for radio shows from GSU students, faculty, staff, and alums, as well as community members. A radio staff training workshop is a prerequisite for those seeking on-air opportunities, but participants do not have to be enrolled in a degree program.
Radio Jaguar’s programming will include music, news, and podcast-style shows, offering a wide array of content for listeners. At the launch event, Hrycaj emphasized the inclusive nature of the platform, welcoming all members of the community to participate. She also said that the station could go silent intermittently as the learning process develops.
“This is part of the growing pains of starting something new and from scratch,” said Hrycaj. “Things will not be perfect, and we will have bugs, but things will improve as we figure things out, fix the bugs, and grow. It might be up and down for the next week, but keep checking back!”
GSU student Miracle Strickland is serving as the first music director of Radio Jaguar. The station will be run by students under the supervision of Hrycaj, who has professional experience in the radio industry.
More information about participation can be found on the Radio Jaguar webpage.