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Campus News spent some time talking to Dr. Frank Lamas
, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
, about his role as program host of KFSR's Fresno State Student Spotlight
. The program airs Sunday mornings at 10:30 (90.7 FM and streaming via www.kfsr.org).
What is the mission of the program?
The Fresno State Student Spotlight features Fresno State students and showcases programs, services and campus events that support student success at Fresno State.
Examples of topics covered by the program?
Events:
- Weeks of Welcome, New Student Convocation
- Homecoming
- Recruit the 99
- Vintage Days
- Denim Days
- Graduation
- Dog Days
Programs/Services:
- Cross Cultural and Gender Center
- Career Development Center/Student Clothing Closet
- Dream Center
- Leadership Center
- Food Security Project
- Associated Students, Inc.
- Scholarships, Programs & Services
- Veteran Services, Veteran's Student Organization
- Renaissance Scholars
- Student Recreation Center
- Health PAWS
Websites or social media that are associated with the program?
Website/page: kfsr.org/public-affairspsas/fresno-state-student-spotlight
Facebook: facebook.com/FSStudentSpotlight (@FSStudentSpotlight)
How long has the program been on the air?
Since April 2016
What path brought you to KFSR?
Julie [Lindahl] and I started talking about the show and how it would be great to do something that focused on our students and the student experience, and the types of programs, services, and events that we did. And it launched from there.
What do you like most about hosting the program?
I would have to say I've gotten to meet with people that I didn't know very well, at times, about things that they're passionate about, interested in, that really impact the student experience here at the University. Probably the second thing is that some of the people I know very well, because they work with me as colleagues in the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. But I've been able to have that extra amount time to really delve a little more deeply into what makes them tick, in terms of why they do the work that they do, why they think it's important. It's really been a deeper dive into some things that I think make a difference.
How do you choose the guests for your program?
We start looking at the calendar to see what's going to be happening. Let's say we get to late September or early October. Homecoming is around the block and we're going to highlight that so people know. Or in the spring, when it's the end of the year, we might talk about Vintage Days. So, really it's scanning the University calendar, looking at the issues or events that might be on the minds of people. At the end of the day, we keep coming up with more and more topics. We rarely repeat anything.
Some of them are fun, like Vintage Days or FresWoW. Some are tough subjects. I've had students who have been homeless or food insecure. Or we've talked to the person in charge of sexual assault. We try to try to be informative about deep issues that affect society and how we address them on our campus, which is really important to our students and to the people who care about them.
I think that the end of the day that the work that we do starts and ends with student success. We are about access, opportunity, and success. [On the radio], we were talking about our Career Development Fair and some of our other programs which really help our students be successful, in the broadest way, and really have a sense of belonging here at the University. Connections are so important. When you have that support system around you — whether it be our Counseling Center or Financial Aid or some other thing — then I think that makes for a better experience.
Please share any additional information you would like included.
If by doing the program, we're able to reach another audience, more students, and people who help them in their journey here at Fresno State, then we've done our job. I think it's incumbent upon us to do as many things as we can to try to reach all our students the best we can.
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