Getting to know USD Radio

Rock out to recommendations from the USD Radio Executive team

Though print and TV are important aspects of student media, music is a universal passion that can connect students campus wide that may have nothing but a favorite song in common. That sense of campus connection is why USD Student Media wouldn’t be complete without USD Radio and their hardworking executive team. USD Radio is an organization that has been rapidly developing on our campus since its creation in 2009. The team produces shows led by student DJs as well as other music-related content, like album reviews and playlists, available for all USD students through the TuneIn app. With music so readily available on online platforms, students can feel inundated with options. If you’re trying to break away from the top-40 playlists and the songs repeated hourly on every other radio station, look no further than USD’s own radio station to find new music loved by your fellow students. 

The USD Vista reached out to our fellow USD Student Media branch in order to get to know more about the organization, what has changed, and what they have planned for this school year. 

Senior Station Manager Megan Tristano, junior Program Director Skylar Ouart, and senior Technical Director Cole Lumby in their executive team headshots.
Megan Tristano / USD Radio

What are the different executive team roles, and what are you responsible for?

Megan Tristano: I’m the Station Director of USD Radio. I’m in charge of hiring exec, scheduling meetings and training, working with our advisors, the budget, and to collaborate with USDtv and The USD Vista.

Skylar Ouart: I am the Program Director for USD Radio. As Program Director, I oversee the DJs and manage the shows being produced. I work with our DJs by offering tips and critiques for their shows, as well as helping them create liners, intros, outros, and anything else that would make their shows feel more professional. I’m also in charge of scheduling, hiring new DJs, and helping Megan (our Station Director) with any tasks she needs help on.

Cole Lumby: I am the technical director for USD Radio. My job is to troubleshoot any technical difficulties our DJs experience, and ensure that our station is running smoothly.

Why did you want to get involved with USD radio?

Megan Tristano: I joined radio because I have always had a passion for music, whether it’s singing or playing instruments, and I knew I wanted to follow it in college. I realized this summer especially that I want a career in the music industry, through my internship at the music agency, Comma Music, in Chicago that makes original music for commercials. Joining radio is a great networking opportunity, I have had the chance to meet with people from iHeartRadio through the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Conference I participated in New York.

Skylar Ouart: I joined USD Radio back during my freshman year, when me and my friend were checking out booths at the Alcalá Bazaar. We both loved music, and the idea of hanging out in a studio playing music and broadcasting live seemed like it would be so much fun. So we went to the first meeting, got trained at the studio, and the rest is history.

Cole Lumby: I started at USD Radio as a DJ because of my love for music, and I also wanted to gain more experience in a studio setting.

What are you most looking forward to this year and in your upcoming shows?

Megan Tristano: This year, we have a passionate team full of music-lovers, whose main goal is for DJs to express themselves through radio shows. I’m excited for our DJs to start shows, so we can support and help them improve their shows over time, so they can use their shows to add to their portfolios for job opportunities. 

Skylar Ouart: This year, it feels like we have something really special going on at USD Radio which is super exciting. We just had our biggest turn out ever for our initial interest meeting, our social media accounts are thriving, and our studio was just redesigned to be professional and functional. Our executive board is all on the same page for which direction we want to take the organization, which has led to a lot of great ideas planned for this upcoming year. The thing I’m most excited for is having our shows broadcasted throughout campus. We’re working to broadcast in areas such as Aromas, the 2nd floor of the SLP, and the JCP gym, and this should start in October once our new DJs are trained in.

Cole Lumby: I am most excited about bringing our own USD undergraduates music to the radio and hopefully giving these student musicians more exposure. 

Any final thoughts?

Megan Tristano: If you’re interested in getting involved please email radiodirector@sandiego.edu to get more information. Weekly shows start Oct. 6. You can listen through the TuneIn app and search for USD Radio. 

Be sure to  listen in and support the fantastic executive USD Radio team this October across campus. Also, look out for the Radio team’s album and concert reviews which will be published periodically in The USD Vista.