PALM DESERT — KCOD 99.9 CoachellaFM was nominated by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System for several prestigious national awards, which topped off a year of growth.

The station recently completed an expansion to FM on 99.9 and was nominated for the following awards:

  • Best Community College Radio Station in the Nation: KCOD 99.9 CoachellaFM
  • Best Public Service Promotion: COD’s Play “Charley’s Aunt” Public Service Announcement – Abraham Cervantes and Tyler McGahuey
  • Best Overall On-Air Schedule: KCOD Team
  • Best Station Playlist/Music Selection: KCOD Team
  • Best Station Facilities: KCOD Station Facilities and College of the Desert
  • Best Promo Series: KCOD Poolside Block Sweepers – Giselle Woo, Ariel Suarez and Manny Gomez
  • Best Staff Newsletter/Email: Station Manager email to staff – Giselle Woo
  • Best Promotional Video: KCOD talked to COD students about music – Spring 2018 RTV Class

This is the second nomination the station received for Best Community College Radio Station in the Nation in the past two years. the station has rapidly increased its student and community programming, adding 12 new shows in the past year.

It continues to be a platform for College of the Desert students, faculty and staff, as well as local Coachella Valley musicians and artists, nonprofit leaders and members of the Coachella Valley community.

Much of the success of the radio station over the last year can be attributed not only to student Station Manager Giselle Woo and Faculty Adviser Laurilie Jackson, but also to the efforts of Dean Kelly Hall, Ph.D., School of Social Sciences and Arts, who was instrumental in moving the radio station into new facilities.

Those facilities were included in the nominations, with a KCOD nomination for Best Radio Station Facilities in the Nation.

“I am proud of our students, faculty and staff for their dedication to KCOD and for growing our media programs.,” Jackson said in a prepared statement. I am also sincerely grateful for everyone at College of the Desert who have supported this dream and look forward to more growth and a bright 2019.”

Woo said, “The nomination I’m proudest of is Best Community College Radio Station in the Nation. All our nominations are always very exciting, and I’m grateful for them, but this one is where we all shine. Everything we do is collaboratively highlighted by this nomination. Not only within our college, but within our community, and that inspires me to work harder for our students and for the greater Coachella Valley.”

Longtime KCOD staff member and Media Studies Adjunct Instructor Toni Bakal, who herself was a national award winner for Best On-Air Personality in 2016 said, “We are thrilled to be nominated for Best Community College Radio Station in the Nation. This is an honor for all of us at KCOD, including the students that take our COD radio courses and get involved with the station. KCOD is a creative and collaborative environment that provides a platform for so many voices of the Coachella Valley, and we couldn’t be happier to have those voices recognized by this award.”

The winners will be announced in March at the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards in New York City.

KCOD can be heard on 99.9 FM in the East Valley, 1450 AM all over the Coachella Valley and via the Tune-in app, or by visiting www.kcodcoachellafm.com and clicking “Listen Now.”

For more information on the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, visit here.