Outgoing WNHU Student Leader Reflects on Role with Award-Winning Radio Station

Nicole Ritsick ’19, a communication major, looks back on her time as station manager, as PJ Tucker ’21, the station’s incoming music and program director, prepares for a position that could lead to a career in radio.

April 2, 2019

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

As one of her last tasks as WNHU’s station manager, Nicole Ritsick ’19 is preparing the next group of aspiring radio professionals to take over. She recently hired ten students for a variety of managerial positions – including two new promotions directors and a new station manager.

"Everyone was very excited to be part of the leadership team," said Ritsick, a communication major. "A lot of them are first-year students and they all have great potential. A lot of them were involved with the promotions committee, so they were already actively involved with WNHU."

The new student leaders, including Rebecca Satzberg ’20, Ritsick’s successor, are now training with the current student management team, and they are preparing to take the reins this spring.

Although the number of student managers remains the same, some of the positions have changed this year. Some positions, such as the promotions director positions, are new. Other titles, including the program director and the music director positions, have been combined, and PJ Tucker ’21, a communication major, will be the first student to hold that position.

"It not only gives you experience serving in a leadership role, it also gives you experience working with programs that you’ll be using in the real world."PJ Tucker ’21

"It not only gives you experience serving in a leadership role, it also gives you experience working with programs that you’ll be using in the real world," said Tucker, who hosts the radio show "The Top 200" on WNHU. "A job here could lead to a position at another radio station."

Like many new student leaders, Tucker got involved with WNHU when he was a first-year student, and he gradually took on more of a leadership role.

Ritsick is hoping that students of all majors will continue to get involved with the station – either by hosting a show or by joining a committee. She says that the skills she has developed can empower students in all fields.

"I was super shy coming out of high school, but I am definitely not now," Ritsick said. "I have gained important leadership experience. I’ve had to lead and critique people. Being the station manager gives you responsibility, and you want to make sure that people look up to you –especially first-year students. You want them to take their work with the station seriously."