#AlumniSpotlight
“I have been challenged and rewarded more than I ever imagined! I am excited to start my 20th year in radio.”

Meet Illinois Media School (formally Illinois Center for Broadcasting) 2003 alum, Program Director/Midday Host at B103/103.FM, Rockford, IL, Lisa Tyler. Lisa will tell you she always dreamed of a career in radio. Like many of our graduates, she has had an incredible journey! Growing up in a family who were big fans of Chicago talk radio, she spent countless hours learning from a very young age.

Immediately after graduation from Illinois Media School, Lisa was hired for a full-time midday position at 95Q in Decatur, IL. While there, she met with the VP of Programming for then NextMedia and shared her ultimate goal to be in morning radio. Because of that conversation, she was recommended for a morning co-host position at a sister country station in Kenosha, WI, and shortly after, she became the morning co-host at 95 Nextmedia (95 WIIL ROCK) from 2005-2012; she was the Lisa in the Tom & Lisa Morning Show. Lisa feels this is where she grew as a broadcaster and had the time of her life attending countless rock shows and traveling to multiple tropical locations!

After a short break in 2012, Lisa was offered the morning co-host job at WIIL Rock sister station 102.3 XLC in Waukegan, and from 2013-2018, she was the Lisa in the Jimmy & Lisa Morning Show. Gaining strong leadership skills, she could see there was no opportunity for another pivot.

In 2018 Lisa was approached by former Illinois Media School Instructor Mark Zander, who encouraged her to apply for a Brand Manager position with Mid-West Family of Companies in Rockford. That is how she landed at B103 103.1FM. While a considerable challenge, Lisa feels fortunate to work with a fantastic team who has helped her every step of the way.

On her career development, “I remember the incredible hands-on experience at Illinois Media School. The teachers were so passionate. I learned you get out what you put in and work with the tools you’re given. I owe so much of where I am today to Illinois Media School. You must be willing to work your tail off, roll with the changes, and be open to moving. Radio continues to evolve. There’s influencing, blogging, video production, website maintenance, event planning…you name it!

“Don’t be afraid to ask for or go for what you want. That conversation I had with the VP of Programming back in 2003 changed the course of my life and put me on the right path. Always remember real growth happens outside your comfort zone! Best of luck, you’ve got this!”

Illinois Media School is proud of our alums and the legacy they continue to create in the media industry. From entry-level through career progression, our graduates shine bright!

Please Inbox National Employer Representative Lynda Leciejewski for more information.

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