AIC and New England Public Radio Announce Partnership

American International College (AIC) and New England Public Radio (NEPR) are pleased to announce a new partnership that will benefit students at the College and enhance news network coverage for NEPR. Beginning on July 1, 2016, WAIC 91.9 FM, will become the newest station to join the NEPR News Network, providing Hampden County with a 24-hour public radio news service on the FM dial.

New England Public Radio’s programming partners include NPR (National Public Radio), American Public Media, and Public Radio International among others, presenting programs like Morning Edition, Here & Now, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, On Point and The BBC World Service.

As part of its agreement with American International College, New England Public Radio will offer educational seminars on media to AIC students each academic year. NEPR will work with the College faculty to design course curriculum that complies with AIC standards for academic credit. Seminar topics may include the art of recording conversations; conducting research and interviews; drafting interview questions; editing; voice techniques and other fundamental skills and journalistic practices. These learning opportunities will be hosted at one of NEPR’s two Springfield facilities.

In addition, AIC students will be encouraged to participate in NEPR’s paid internship program which offers experience in several station departments including the newsroom, marketing, programming and NEPR’s Media Lab. American International College students will now join students from New England Public Radio’s other academic partners including UMass Amherst and Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges and Berkshire Community College in participating in NEPR’s paid internship opportunities.

According to American International College President Vincent Maniaci, “This exciting collaboration between AIC and NEPR will provide our students with access to New England Public Radio right here in Springfield. They will benefit academically and gain real life experience with a well-respected media organization.”

The NEPR News Network provides a robust line up of news, talk and cultural programming that allows individuals in western New England to explore and enjoy the world around them. The network offers fresh perspectives on the biggest stories from around the world, and a deeper connection to what’s happening locally through a diverse range of public radio programs that offer well-balanced reporting, in-depth interviews, call-in discussions with global listeners, and thoughtful conversations on diverse topics.

New England Public Radio also broadcasts news, jazz and classical music on its flagship station 88.5 FM WFCR, and translators throughout Berkshire County. The NEPR News Network was launched in 2007 to compliment the mixed format service in WFCR, and caters to listeners who prefer 24-hour news and talk programming. With the addition of 91.9 FM WAIC, the NEPR News Network can now be heard on be heard on seven stations throughout the region including 89.3 FM in Hampshire County, 91.7 FM in Franklin County, 89.5 FM and 89.9 FM in Berkshire County, 88.5 FM HD-3 in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden Counties, and on AM 640 across western New England and into New York State. Listeners can also stream the station at NEPR.net and through NEPR’s app.

“This partnership with American International College is extremely exciting for NEPR,” said the station’s CEO and General Manager Martin Miller. “This will be the first time the NEPR News Network has broadcast on an FM station in Hampden County. Utilizing WAIC, along with the other five FM stations in the news network, means that we have complete FM coverage in all four counties of western Massachusetts, and into Enfield, CT, and with WNNZ AM 640, even greater coverage into CT, Albany, NY and southern VT.”

Added Miller, “We are grateful to AIC’s President Vincent Maniaci, Executive Vice President for Administration Mark Berman, their colleagues and Board of Trustees for bringing this [partnership] to fruition.”