Roadrunner Radio Earns National Recognition

Local COD Radio Station Roadrunner Radio Receives Nationally Recognized Top Honors

PALM DESERT — College of the Desert’s online radio station, COD Roadrunner Radio, has been awarded the 1st Place Golden Mic Award for Best Streaming Online Community College Radio Station in the Nation. The prestigious honor was announced on March 8, 2025, at the 2025 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Conference in New York City.

In addition to the station’s top honor, two COD radio students earned prestigious 1st Place Golden Mic Awards for their individual programs. Dante Grasseschi won Best Specialty Music Show for “Music Seeking Movie,” while L. Angelo Benevides took home the Best Podcast for “The Popcast.”

Several other COD students and staff were recognized among the nation’s top contenders, placing in the top 5% of nominees. Martha Hackett was a finalist for Best Student On-Air Personality, Cynthia Portillo-Rodriguez for Best Sports Pre-Game/Post-Game Show “The Firebirds – Hockey,” Vanessa Braden for Best Student Social Media Director and Celina Gentry, COD Media Center Lab Technician, for Best Community Volunteer Program.

COD Roadrunner Radio Manager Scott Colwell praised the students’ dedication. “I am not surprised. These students come to us eager and ready to learn, dedicating hours to perfecting their skills and creating relevant content for the station. Their hard work has been rewarded; they truly deserve this honor.”

From March 5–9, COD students, faculty and staff traveled to New York City for the 2025 IBS Conference, an event dedicated to radio and television broadcasting. The conference offered invaluable opportunities for networking, professional development and industry insights from notable speakers. A highlight was a keynote address by NBC Today Show icon Al Roker, who shared stories of his early days in radio and his path to becoming a household name in broadcasting.

Since 2013, COD media students have consistently excelled at the IBS Awards, earning multiple Golden Mic Awards, including numerous nominations for Best Community College Radio Station over the past decade.

“This year, we did it. We brought home the top prize,” said Laurilie Jackson, Associate Professor of Media Production. “Our students, faculty and staff are incredibly creative and talented, and their hard work has paid off. Being recognized as the best in the nation is a tremendous honor, and I couldn’t be prouder of their dedication and achievements.”

COD Roadrunner Radio is College of the Desert’s award-winning online station, providing students with a platform to develop and produce innovative radio and podcast programming. The station serves as a training ground for future radio personalities, producers and entertainment professionals, offering hands-on experience in broadcasting and production. To learn more about Roadrunner Radio, contact Laurilie Jackson at 760.578.4513 or visit www.codroadrunnerradio.com.