Inland Empire Radio Show Wins Recognition

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — A radio show created by four Cal State San Bernardino alumni that focuses on Inland Empire education issues has won a Best of the West Media Award from a regional organization, officials from CSUSB's Palm Desert Campus announced Monday.

"Education Insight," which broadcasts monthly over NPR affiliate KVCR (91.9 FM), was recognized as Locally Produced Show of the Year by the Western Region of the American Advertising Federation.

The awards go to "individuals and companies who exemplify excellence in service to their communities and the media industry."

"We knew right away this was a team that could create something that really mattered," said Jake Poore, executive producer of the show and director of communications at Growing Inland Achievement.

GIA is described as a regional education collaborative in the Inland Empire that works to achieve education and economic equity.

The show's four-member production team — Poore; production engineer Tyler Veazey; chief production assistant Alyssa Silva; and host, consultant and CSUSB communication studies lecturer Lacey Kendall — have all received either bachelor's or master's degrees from CSUSB.

Silva is the only one from PDC, according to Mike Singer from the CSUSB PDC's office of strategic communications.

Silva got a bachelor's degree in communications in 2020; Veazey got his in music with a minor in music technology in 2012; Kendall got a master's degree in communications in 2012; and Poore got his in 2018, according to Singer.

They met at CSUSB's two campus radio stations — Coyote Radio and Paws Radio.

Singer said Veazey and Poore worked out of Coyote radio at the San Bernardino campus, while Silva was hosting a program on Paws Radio at PDC. Kendall managed Coyote radio before launching and managing Paws Radio at PDC in 2017.

"Alyssa was already hosting a CSUSB radio and podcast program called `Educated' and Tyler was creating some impressive audio productions," said Poore.

Monday's Palm Desert Campus announcement said Silva and Veazey started working with the team after they graduated. Silva said she unexpectedly landed a position with GIA after creating the podcast at PDC.

Veazey said CSUSB helped him become a great audio-engineer, make great connections and ultimately produce the show.

Produced by GIA in partnership with KVCR, the show broadcasts the first week of every month.

The team has interviewed a range of guests, including legislators and experts from Washington, D.C. to the Inland Empire. Poore said guests focus on factors and values that contribute to lifelong education.

"We are thrilled that Education Insight won the award for Locally Produced Show of the Year," Kendall said. "I personally want to thank my friends at GIA and KVCR FM for their support of the production of our show and want to acknowledge all of the amazing guests we have featured on the program. Thank you for making us award-winning."

Kendall added that she hopes to see the show expand its footprint regionally.

"We intend to be a team for a long time," she said. "There are no shows like this one out there, so our goal is to take (it) to other California markets also."