WSU radio program promotes higher education

“WSU Conectandote!” co-hosts Ambar Martinez, left, and Marcela Pattinson rehearse in the studio. (Photo by Steve Nakata)

 

 

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University is hitting the airwaves as part of its comprehensive outreach plan to Latino communities.

 

At the invitation of Washington State’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs (CHA), WSU has created a Spanish-speaking radio show called “WSU Conectándote!” or “Get Connected with WSU!”

 

Starting today (Aug. 30) WSU will broadcast live from the admissions office six times during the fall semester. Each 30-minute show, starting at 10 a.m., will be recorded and will air a second time the same week.

 

Listeners in the Palouse region can access the show by visiting www.kdna.org and clicking on the large computer graphic at the bottom of the page.

Potentially 300,000 Spanish-speaking listeners in 20 Washington counties can tune into “WSU Conectándote!” The program, which will air on a network of Spanish-speaking radio stations developed by CHA, will be heard in the Yakima Valley, Columbia Basin, Skagit Valley, King and Pierce counties, and all the way to the Grays Harbor and parts of Canada.

 

According to John Fraire, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment, a show focused entirely on education did not previously exist.

 

“When Commissioner Uriel Iñiquez approached me with the idea of WSU producing an education-themed show, I jumped at the chance,” he said. “Not only does it fit in with our commitment to helping underserved students, but it aligns with our land-grant mission of serving their communities as well.”

 

Show co-hosts Marcela Pattinson, a bilingual multicultural financial aid counselor, and Ambar Martinez, a graduate student in foreign languages and cultures, have spent long hours setting up the studio and preparing for the first show.

 

“This radio program allows WSU to be right in the living rooms of Latino families,” said Pattinson. “It is a great way to share information about our university and send the important message of ‘you can do it’ to those who never thought college was possible.”

 

Each show will include a featured topic. The first was “Las Memorias,” a recent theater production led by WSU and starring high school students from Warden, Mabton and Pateros schools.

 

The shows also will feature students talking about their academic programs and student life on all of WSU’s campuses. Campus events will be discussed. WSU staff will talk about topics such as financial aid and scholarships, campus housing and student support programs.

A “Cougar of the Day” segment will feature WSU alumni. Listeners will have the option of calling in to ask questions.

 

“I’m really excited for this show,” said Martinez, a graduate of WSU’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. “All of the messages contained within our programs will come from the heart, and we want families to know that we are here to help them.”

 

Radio stations carrying the show include KDNA 91.9 FM (Yakima Valley), KTBK 1210 AM (Seattle), KSVR 90.1 FM (Skagit Valley), KCED 91.3 FM (Centralia) and KNTS 1690 AM (Seattle).
 
Confirmed dates for live shows are Aug. 30, Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Nov. 15, Nov. 22 and Dec. 27. The pre-recorded versions will air Sept. 1, Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Nov. 17, Nov. 24 and Dec. 29. Additional dates for spring semester are being planned.

 

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Sources:
John Fraire, Student Affairs and Enrollment, 509-335-5900, jfraire@wsu.edu
Marcela Pattinson, “WSU Conectándote!” 509-335-9729, marcela.pattinson@wsu.edu
Ambar Martinez, “WSU Conectándote!” 509-335-4135, ambarmtz@wsu.edu
 
Media contact:
Steve Nakata, Student Affairs and Enrollment, 509-335-1774, nakata@wsu.edu