Political Science Major Wins National Broadcasting Award

On April 7, the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System management awards were announced via Instagram. Hiral Patel, WMSC’s station manager and a Political Science major, was named “Best Station Manager in the Nation.”

Patel has been a part of the WMSC team since her freshman year when she joined as a newscaster. In her interview to join the Student Management Team in Dec 2016, she told then station manager, Juan Contla, and General Manager, Anabella Poland, that she wanted to apply for “his job”. While it was a bold move, Patel worked towards that goal and has led the station since last May 2019. (Read more from the School of Communication and Media)

As a political science major, Patel says that learning about the institutions and ideas that shape our political system and serve our country has helped her lead the station. In addition to learning to lead a team of nearly 20 student managers and over 60 DJs, Patel also has to keep the needs of the audience in mind in all decisions. With news being a crucial department at WMSC, Patel says it’s important to understand what is happening, how it affects our community and how to best present it to the audience.

Patel is breaking the misconception that you must study journalism or broadcasting in order to be successful in the industry. She has hosted her own show and currently co-hosts a news show via Zoom since instruction moved online in March. Patel’s coursework, skills and experience in broadcasting have helped her land several internships. She is currently interning in the booking department at MSNBC Live and Weekends with Alex Witts and has previously interned with CBS This Morning. Following graduation this semester, Patel hopes to begin her career in a news media network.

Congratulations Hiral!

View the Instagram announcement from IBS