Student Spotlight: Caroline Willis, Liberal Studies, KRUA station manager

by Michelle Saport  |   

Caroline Willis is known as the "glue" at KRUA 88.1 FM, UAA's student-operated radio station, where she's worked the past four years. She started as a volunteer in 2005, and soon became the program director in 2007, then station manager in 2009. Caroline has made her mark on UAA as a student leader, climbing up the KRUA chain and staying active on campus.

UAA student Caroline WillisA high school dropout, Caroline remembers high school as uninspiring. "I was bored and not interested," she says, "And I had the opportunity to work full time. I didn't see higher education in my future." At 18, Caroline became a workaholic living on her own, juggling multiple jobs and positions.

Caroline eventually re-recognized the value of education while working at an Anchorage preschool. After working with kids, she realized becoming a teacher was the way to move up in life. "They made me realize that to teach, I had to keep learning." Caroline enrolled at UAA in 2003.

Caroline, a liberal studies major with an emphasis in journalism and public communications and art, was terrified of public speaking. "I knew I needed to get over it," she says, "So I decided to volunteer at KRUA to force me to face my fear."

Caroline started at KRUA hosting her own two-hour show where she earned Volunteer of the Year, and eventually began making her way up the KRUA ladder.

As program director, she trained 60-plus students and volunteers a year and maintained a semester programming schedule of more than 25 programs. Now as station manager, Caroline manages a $100K budget, supervises and evaluates staff and is directly responsible for the overall operation of the station. Caroline's position is one of only two student positions on campus that require 30 hours a week.

Now immersed in UAA's campus life as station manager, Caroline says that going to class is only part of the college experience. "The other half of college is being involved in extracurricular activities. UAA offers lots of opportunities to become active on campus," she says.

The more active Caroline has become, the more she's learned and felt like a member of the UAA community. "I started enjoying more of my classes, and really became engaged with the University. More involvement equals more fun."

Caroline has become more exposed to learning how to better navigate the UAA system as a student leader. "I know now who to talk to about certain issues and questions, and can find someone that will have the answer."

Caroline's not only stayed involved at KRUA, but has contributed to other campus committees and boards. She was editor and draft writer for the organizational charter for UAA's Campus Programming Board and a member of UAA's Kick-off committee from 2007-09. She received the UAA Community Service Award in 2008 for her continued service at UAA.

With graduation in May soon approaching, Caroline will leave KRUA and embark on earning her master's degree at the University of Alaska Southeast. "I could probably walk from one end of campus to the other with my eyes closed. So, I need to become the freshman again and get a little shaken up."

Caroline plans to use her radio skills by applying for radio jobs this summer. "I know I could go into a station and be comfortable with anything they'll ask of me," she says. "KRUA has provided me with some professional experience, and I'll definitely utilize that."

As first generation college student, Caroline says the University has really made her who she is today. "UAA has really molded me. Before [college], I was working hard but never moving forward. Now, I'm finally able to take that step through a new door where opportunities are endless."

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