Winning Big in the Big Apple

Seattle University’s student-run radio station 102.1 FM KXSU is in rarefied air when it comes to being nominated and then winning awards—in consecutive years—at the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Radio Conference.

Being recognized by the IBS means that you are in the top 3 to 5 percentile among college stations nationwide who earn a nomination in one of the various categories.

KXSU scored two awards—among five nominations—at the IBS conference held earlier this year in New York City: “Best Station Website” and “Best Station Contest.” Beyond the awards students and station staff who attend the conference gain industry insight and opportunities to build connections with career professionals.

“The recognition is very important,” says Station Manager Natalie Melendez. “And winning is a treat as it directly reflects the hard work the KXSU teams does. Awards are not everything, but they sure do feel good to receive!”

The KXSU team representing in NYC: (l-r) Claire Kampmeier, Jenia Viles, Natalie Melendez and Mars Nelson. 

A graduate of Central Washington University, Melendez is a full-time staff member at the station, which she joined in July 2024. Prior to coming to SU, she was an on-air reporter at iHeartMedia in Seattle and the host of the Weekend Edition Sunday on Seattle’s NPR and Jazz station 88.5 FM KNKX.

When considering a major—and ultimately a career path—in college, Melendez was looking for something where she could apply her love of music and media. The choice of broadcasting was somewhat serendipitous.

“I have always been enamored by entertainment, music and the arts and when I was in college deciding on my major, I had a friend bring up broadcasting,” she says. “I had never thought about broadcasting as a career before, but I felt that would be a great way to be involved in the music industry.”

KXSU is SU’s terrestrial and online station, pumping 17 watts of power from an antenna posted high on the roof of Campion Hall. The station’s broadcasts can be heard within six miles of campus, give or take, on the FM dial—and streaming worldwide at KXSU.org. The station, which is housed in the Sinegal Center for Science and Innovation, features a roster of DJs mostly made up of students but also includes other members of the SU community. DJs have free reign over their shows, which usually run from 60 to 120 minutes, and feature music from an array of genres, from jazz to indie, hip hop to rock, metal to country.

The variety—and that no two days are really the same—is the best part of the job for Melendez.

“There are so many aspects of managing a radio station that I am always doing something different every day. That and the fact that I get to work with the next generation of career professionals,” she says. “My students keep the job fun.”