Cougar Radio is a student media outlet that has talk shows, music shows, and a 24-hour music playlist created by members and practicum students.

Mykenna Decker, a sophomore Communications major, is the Music Director, and she is in charge of making the playlists and helps with looking over programming. 

Members encourage students of any major or year to be a part of Cougar Radio.

“We’re actually probably going to have an event where people can sign up and join and get in contact with us a lot easier,” Decker said.

There is also another event in the works that will be a Y2K themed dance that will feature a tattoo bar, mocktails and dirty sodas with one of their student made playlists. 

Cougar Radio offers various talk shows from professors, sports shows, practicum students having a show for the semester and anyone else who wants to talk on air. 

Decker really enjoyed a talk show she did with fellow sophomore student Sarah Burd called, “Study Break Radio,” in which they talked about things they liked to do when they weren’t studying for their classes. 

“We did like music, podcasts we like, fashion, like just a bunch of different stuff,” said Decker. 

Cougar Radio gives students many opportunities to get familiar with radio, its technology, equipment and what really goes into a talk show. Everyone involved is trained to develop skills; many are cross trained in multiple areas.

“We train everybody who wants to come so I was trained my first year. I’m only a sophomore and I’m like deeply invested in the radio,” Decker said. 

Decker wants to have a future career in radio and feels it’s an amazing experience for her to gain the skills she needs. 

Dekker has acquired skills that will help translate into careers in radio, marketing, working with large companies and managing and training employees.

“Training others, it’s just a lot of learning, very hands-on learning and being able to teach people, which is really fun because as soon as you learn it you can basically teach it” she said. 

Cougar Radio can also be an opportunity to get involved on campus and meet new people with the same interests. 

“I’ve become such close friends with the people. I do radio with, like me and Sarah Burd basically didn’t know each other and we really like became really really good friends through that and that is a story for a lot of people,” Decker said. 

Anyone is able to have a talk show on Cougar Radio about whatever interests they have.

“You show up once a week, talk to your friend on air and go back off as long as your research is correct and you’re not misquoting or slandering anyone you’re free to speak,” said Decker.

Sophomore business administration marketing major Olivia Smith had her own talk show called “Liv Squared” where she and another friend of hers named Liv would go around campus and interview other students named Liv. 

On Admitted Students day, they even put some upcoming communications students on the radio and let them talk on air for an hour. 

“It’s a really fun opportunity, and when else are you gonna be able to just speak on air-when you’re a student in college? why not get your voice out there now?” Decker asked.

Cougar Radio is a fun opportunity that is open for everyone to join. It also encouraged that students listen to Cougar Radio. 

“We need listeners, members, and just people who want to just come hang out on the radio,” said Decker.

Tune in to listen by simply going to cougarradio.live.