About Us
KSMU Radio
Since its modest beginnings in a "charming" little house on National Avenue, KSMU Radio has been dedicated to quality. KSMU, the region’s NPR affiliate, signed on the air in 1974 with the same mission we pursue today – to encourage audiences to explore ideas and to deepen our shared understanding of what it means to be an engaged citizen of our community.
With that purpose in mind, KSMU strives to bring the highest quality information and entertainment to listeners throughout the Ozarks. Through a variety of programs, KSMU offers storytelling and entertainment that respects the listener’s time and intelligence. With locally-produced music programs ranging from bluegrass to blues, KSMU provides something truly unique on the radio dial. And through local, regional, national, and international news, KSMU helps listeners stay informed on topics that affect their lives.
KSMU is proud of our award-winning news coverage. Our news team has been recognized with multiple National Edward R. Murrow Awards, more than a dozen Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, and scores of honors from other institutions, including the Missouri Broadcasters Association, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, the Missouri Bar Association, and the Missouri State Teachers Association.
KSMU Radio is jointly-licensed with Ozarks Public Television, the region’s PBS affiliate. Brought together in 2001, the stations formed Ozarks Public Broadcasting, licensed to and operated by Missouri State University. The work of Ozarks Public Broadcasting is deeply rooted in public service. Every effort we undertake is in service to – and made possible by – our community.
General Contact Information
Our studios and offices are located at the southwest corner of the Missouri State University campus, in Strong Hall, Room 115. Strong Hall is located at 900 S. Holland Avenue, near the intersection of Grand Street and Holland Avenue.
Mailing Address:
901 South National Ave.
Springfield, MO 65897
Telephone:
(417) 836-5878
(800) 767-5768
E-Mail: ksmu@missouristate.edu
Ozarks Public Broadcasting Community Representation Statement
Ozarks Public Broadcasting, comprised of KSMU Radio and Ozarks Public Television (OPT), believes our work and workplace are made better through the earnest prioritization of the organizational values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our work is guided by the following principles:
· Ozarks Public Broadcasting is committed to reflecting and celebrating the diversity of the communities we serve in all areas of station operation. This diversity takes many forms, including – but not limited to – age, education, ethnicity, expression, family composition, gender, gender expression, gender identity, geographic location, language, marital status, mental ability, nationality, physical ability, physical appearance, political views, race, religious views, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status.
· Ozarks Public Broadcasting is committed to ensuring equitable participation in internal and external station activities, recognizing that the resources needed to achieve equity vary by person, group, and circumstance.
· Ozarks Public Broadcasting is committed to cultivating a culture that values and incorporates the diverse perspectives of team members, and actively pursues engagement and input from team members of all levels.
· Ozarks Public Broadcasting is committed to creating, selecting, and presenting programming and engagement activities that are reflective of the diversity of the communities we serve.
· Ozarks Public Broadcasting is committed to consistently evaluating its performance and progress in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion; to sharing information on performance and progress in a transparent manner; and to ensuring that sustainable progress remains a long-term focus of the organization.
Service to the Community
OPT and KSMU seek to select, develop, produce, and present content and engagement activities that represent the diversity of individuals and perspectives in our community, and encourage thoughtful discourse on a variety of topics.
As a part of KSMU’s mission to represent and inform the community, the station regularly produces and broadcasts special features and series focused on the stories of underrepresented individuals and groups and provides access to important information. Examples include:
- KSMU’s airing of Informed Voter Coalition candidate interviews ahead of the 2024 August primary election and the 2024 November general election gives paywall-free access to information about candidates on the ballots.
- The 2024 season of Making A Difference looks at the ways grant funding helps people of all backgrounds get outside and enjoy the outdoors.
- Making a New Life in the Ozarks takes a deep dive into the challenges refugee families and individuals face in the region.
- Entrepreneurship in the Rural Ozarks focuses on small business owners in rural areas and the importance of those businesses to the economic vitality of small towns.
- The Springfield-Greene County African American Heritage Trail highlights stories from the trail, featuring historic points of interest.
OPT tells the story of the Ozarks through documentary films and ongoing series.
- Ozarks Public Television’s recent documentary Kehila Kedosha focuses on the history of Jewish migration, assimilation, and heritage in the Missouri Ozarks.
- In Gratitude: Honor Flight of the Ozarks captures the stories of a group of veterans traveling to Washington, D.C. to visit the monuments dedicated to their service and sacrifice.
- Generations: African American Experiences in Springfield and the Ozarks, explores the challenges and success of Black Americans in the region and has been nominated for a Mid-America Emmy.
- Generations: African American Experiences in Springfield and the Ozarks, explores the challenges and success of Black Americans in the region and has been nominated for a Mid-America Emmy.
- The long-running weekly OPT series OzarksWatch Video Magazine documents, presents and preserves the unique heritage, richness and complexity of the Ozarks region.
- The long-running weekly OPT series OzarksWatch Video Magazine documents, presents and preserves the unique heritage, richness and complexity of the Ozarks region.
Organizational Accountability
As a unit of Missouri State University, Ozarks Public Broadcasting shares in the University’s efforts and initiatives to ensure inclusive engagement.
The Missouri State University Office of Inclusive Engagement strives to enhance the institutional culture of the campus and general community. The office’s mission is: Through consistent emphasis on our core value of inclusive excellence, Missouri State University intentionally engages the rich and broad diversity of faculty, staff, students and community in order to effectively prepare all campus stakeholders as well as increase the success of all students in our global society and global economy.
Missouri State University’s Inclusivity Principles include:
1. Missouri State University is committed to carrying out its public affairs mission, which calls on the university to develop successful students who excel academically and within the three pillars of ethical leadership, cultural competence, and community engagement.
2. Missouri State University believes in and supports inclusive excellence. This includes creating welcoming environments within the university and the communities it serves.
3. Missouri State University values diversity because people from all backgrounds should feel valued, respected and empowered.
4. Missouri State University defines diversity broadly to include people of all races and ethnicities, religions, ages, sexes, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, and socioeconomic and veteran statuses.
5. Missouri State University recognizes and supports a student’s unique background as an important influence on the teaching and learning process, as all students should have equal opportunities for success. The university strives to eliminate attainment gaps.
6. Missouri State University works to attract, retain, and ensure the success of all students, faculty, and staff.
7. Missouri State University believes in and supports its faculty’s freedom to deliver curriculum based on their academic disciplines.
8. Missouri State University creates and supports policies and practices of inclusive excellence and cultural competence.
9. Missouri State University provides equal opportunities for everyone and actively responds to complaints of bias or discrimination.
More information about Missouri State University’s Office of Inclusive Engagement can be found here.
Ozarks Public Broadcasting FY24 Progress Report
In FY24, Ozarks Public Broadcasting’s DEI Work Group made significant strides in advancing its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The group successfully conducted a comprehensive internal climate survey, gathering valuable feedback from full-time, part-time and student staff. Based on this feedback, the group developed actionable recommendations to present to senior management.
The DEI Work Group also explored the possibility of securing grant funding for freelance rural and cultural reporting on KSMU. While grant solicitation did not materialize this fiscal year, they made valuable connections with the team members in OPB’s grants department, and the group has a better understanding of the challenges to secure funding.
Ozarks Public Broadcasting FY25 Commitments
1. Ozarks Public Broadcasting’s DEI Work Group will
• Perform ongoing evaluation of the organization’s demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Continue to solicit feedback from all levels of station staff though various means of data collection.
2. The station will solicit grant funding for freelance rural and cultural reporting on KSMU, which are historically underrepresented areas on the station.
3. Provide recommendations to senior management for specific actions that should be taken to ensure OPB, in all areas of operation and service, operates in a manner that reflects its earnest commitment to these principles.
CPB Diversity Initiatives
Additionally, Ozarks Public Broadcasting undertakes the following ongoing initiatives outlined by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), as part of standard station operating procedure:
· Include individuals representing the diverse groups served by OPB for internships or work-study programs, which are designed to provide meaningful professional-level experience and further public broadcasting’s commitment to education.
· Provide Harassment Prevention training for all staff.
Updated September 2024
Online Comment Policy
As the public radio service for the Ozarks, KSMU values audience input. We ask that your comments to the local and regional news stories we share are written in a civil manner. View our discussion policy here.
Governing Body
The Missouri State University Board of Governors is the governing body of Ozarks Public Broadcasting.
For more information about the current members of the board, click here: Missouri State University Board of Governors Members.
For a schedule of upcoming board meetings, click here: Missouri State University Board of Governors Meeting Schedule.
To view meeting agenda items, including rational for closed sessions, click here: Missouri State University Board of Governors Meeting Agendas.
Financial Records
- Audited Financial Statement
- Annual Financial Report
- Missouri State University Foundation IRS Form 990
- Missouri State University Detailed Budget Book