90.3 WMSC-FM Named Radio Station of the Year at 2026 CBI National Student Production Awards
Written by Ash Schnoor on October 17, 2026
MONTCLAIR, N.J. — 90.3 WMSC-FM, Montclair State University’s student-run radio station, won first place for Radio Station of the Year at the 2026 College Broadcasters, Inc. (CBI) National Student Production Awards. WMSC also won six more awards, bringing its total to seven. The awards were presented on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the CBI National Student Media Convention in Philadelphia.
“I’m so proud of our station and everyone at WMSC that makes us who we are,” said Chris Cirone, WMSC’s station manager. “This award is a testament to the diligent effort and dedication of our members. Those behind WMSC are not only some of the hardest working people I’ve met, but also the kindest and most considerate, so to have our work recognized at the national scale is truly an honor.”
The win comes as WMSC approaches its 60th year on the air.
WMSC competed against student media outlets from across the country. CBI received more than 940 entries in 41 categories this year, and up to four finalists were named in each one. WMSC had seven finalist entries across six categories, and all seven placed.
The CBI National Student Production Awards recognize student work at campus radio, television and digital media outlets. Categories cover news reporting, sports, podcasts, documentaries, interviews, station imaging and more. The awards were presented during the National Student Media Convention, held October 14 to 17 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. CBI is a member-driven organization serving students and advisers of student media.
WMSC’s winning entries:
AUDIO DIVISION
- First place, Radio Station of the Year: WMSC 90.3 FM
- First place, Best Hard News Reporting: “On the Road: Immigration”
- Second place, Best Audio Interview: Aaron de Jesus from “1776” Interview (Sola Fidé Johnson)
COMBINED DIVISION
- First place, Best Student Media Web Site: wmscradio.com (Ash Schnoor, web director)
VIDEO DIVISION
- First place, Best Special Broadcast: “FOCUS: AI” (Ariana Meshi and Miky Arias)
- Third place, Best Hard News Reporting: “ON THE ROAD: Free the Press”
- Third place, Best Special Broadcast: “First Mountain Music Festival” (Ash Schnoor, executive producer)
“This project reflects what student journalism should be about: getting out into the community, listening to people directly, and bringing important stories to our audience,” said Ben Capp, WMSC’s engineering director, who served as news director for 2025-26.
The WMSC News Focus broadcast on AI in journalism, published April 27, 2026, looked at how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of news and media. “FOCUS gives students the opportunity to take on major stories and approach them with the preparation and professionalism of a real newsroom,” Capp said. “The AI broadcast challenged us to break down a rapidly changing topic and make it informative and accessible for our audience.”
“Video journalism gives us another way to bring important stories to life,” Capp said. “With On the Road: Free the Press, the team wanted to use storytelling to give our audience a closer look at the subject and encourage them to think more deeply about the issues being covered.”
WMSC has won Best Student Media Web Site three years in a row. CBI lists WMSC first in this category in 2024 and 2025. “Winning this award for the third year in a row is such an insane feat,” said Ash Schnoor, WMSC’s web director. “Thank you to the web directors who came before me, especially Rash Vinakota and Emol McCormack. Here’s to continuing to improve, and I’m looking forward to what the next year has in store for our website.”
First Mountain Music Festival took place Feb. 13, 2026, at Memorial Auditorium on Montclair State’s campus. It was the university’s first fully student-produced concert, and the free show featured five local acts: Marauder, Alessandra Foti, Roe Knows Best, Ellie Beder and Alexa Tabbacchino. WMSC executive produced the television broadcast in part with a four-week concert production class, and students in the FMTV class produced it as a production partner of WMSC. The broadcast aired and streamed live on WMSC and Hawk+ on Feb. 13. “First Mountain Music Festival was the first event of its kind at Montclair State University,” said Ash Schnoor, WMSC’s assistant music director and the broadcast’s executive producer. “Putting on a 100% student-produced event of this caliber is a huge step for us.”
WMSC general member Sola Fidé Johnson interviewed Aaron De Jesus of Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of “1776”. The interview was published with audio on wmscradio.com on April 5, 2026. “I’m so honored to have this interview recognized nationally,” said Johnson, who is also a member of WMSC’s news team. “One of the things I love most about journalism is the opportunity to sit down with people, hear their stories, and share perspectives that audiences might not otherwise get to experience. To have that work recognized through WMSC is incredibly meaningful, and I’m grateful to be part of a station that gives student journalists the opportunity to grow, connect and share stories with the world.”
The full list of 2026 winners and finalists is available at askcbi.org. WMSC’s work can be found at wmscradio.com.
90.3 WMSC-FM is the student-run radio station of Montclair State University, broadcasting from Upper Montclair, N.J. and streaming at wmscradio.com.
For media inquiries, interview requests, or additional information, please contact Ash Schnoor at web@wmscradio.com.
