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 Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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 select, develop, produce, and present content and engagement activities that seek to 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. Examples include:
- Ozarks Public Television’s original film Missouri! A Bicentennial Celebration tells the story of the state – from the original Missourians through recent notable figures.
- OPT tells the story of the Ozarks’ through documentary films and ongoing series. Through a partnership with the national American Graduate initiative, OPT’s Sense of Community program recently included a profile of ARC of the Ozarks, and their work in connecting adults with cognitive disabilities with local employers.
- OPT’s locally-produced film Marian Days: A Spiritual and Cultural Homecoming shares the history and impact of an enduring spiritual and social festival of Vietnamese Roman Catholics, held annually in Carthage, MO.
- OPT’s Passport series featured instructional language and cultural exploration of other countries. The series includes Passport to China, Passport to Latin America, and Passport to Brazil.
- The long-running weekly OPT series OzarksWatch Video Magazine documents, presents and preserves the unique heritage, richness and complexity of the Ozarks region.
- OPT and KSMU regularly broadcast special programming that celebrates the diversity of our nation and our world. These national programs are made available by NPR, PRI, APM, PBS, NETA, APT and other national distributors.
- The Springfield-Greene County African American Heritage Trail highlighted stories from the trail, featuring historic points of interest.
- The Intersection of Housing and Homelessness in Springfield examined the city’s challenges in getting homeless residents into shelters, and how the problem relates to a severe shortage of affordable housing.
- StoryCorps in the Ozarks featured 10 interviews recorded during StoryCorps’ Mobile Tour in the Ozarks.
- Conversations on Race featured first-person perspectives of people in our community whose lives have been impacted by race and racism.
- Dementia in the Ozarks profiled local individuals and families impacted by dementia, as well as the resources available in the communities we serve.
- Table Traditions local individuals shared the family recipes, culture, and traditions that the hold dear.
Organizational Accountability
As a division of Missouri State University, Ozarks Public Broadcasting shares in the University’s efforts and initiatives to ensure diversity in all aspects of our work. The University staff, faculty, governance and student body reflect rich diversity.
The Missouri State University Division for Diversity and Inclusion strives to enhance the institutional culture of the campus by building a community that values the inclusion of diversity. Its mission is to ensure consistent emphasis on the core value of inclusive excellence by intentionally engaging the rich and broad diversity of faculty, staff, students and community to effectively educate all campus stakeholders. The division has four areas of emphasis –
· Access, success and equity
Increase access, success and equity by attracting, retaining, and ensuring the success of all students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
· Learning and development
Enhance and increase learning development through promoting diversity in the formal and informal curricula.
· Campus climate
Enhance and increase the development of a psychological and behavioral climate supportive of all students, faculty, and staff as well as campus stakeholders.
· Institutional leadership and commitment
Enhance and increase institutional leadership, commitment, and integration of policies, practices, and institutional support of Inclusive Excellence as well as cultural consciousness of all university stakeholders.
More information about Missouri State University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion can be found here.
Ozarks Public Broadcasting FY22 Progress Report
1. Ozarks Public Broadcasting’s DEI work group is tasked with evaluating station performance and improvement in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Because these principles are central to the entirety of our work, evaluation and goals for improvement include all areas of station operation. This work group is responsible for making annual recommendations for focus and improvement in integration of these principles across station operations.
Progress Report: The staff members who comprised Ozarks Public Broadcasting’s 2021 DEI work group were the inaugural committee tasked with this work. These staff members agreed to serve two-year terms in order to devote adequate time to both the structure and design of the work group, as well as the work itself.
The group met monthly to identify and evaluate current efforts to incorporate the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspect of the organization’s public services and workplace culture. The group will transition their ongoing evaluation and recommendations to a new group of staff members who will take over the work in FY23.
Ozarks Public Broadcasting FY23 Commitments
1. Ozarks Public Broadcasting’s DEI Work Group will
(1) perform ongoing evaluation of the organization’s demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
(2) identify areas where improvements should occur; and
(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 for internships or work-study programs, which are designed to provide meaningful professional-level experience and further public broadcasting’s commitment to education.
· Include qualified diverse candidates in any slate of individuals considered for positions on governing boards.
· Provide diversity training for management and appropriate staff.
Updated September 2022
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
Equal Employment Opportunity
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