Most weekdays Abby Sylvia stays grounded in her role as an associate director of Residence Life at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. She’s busy hiring, training and supervising staff and managing half of the Oshkosh campus res halls.
But lately on the weekends, things have been a little … up in the air.
UWO’s Abby Sylvia training with Fife at WIXX
In April, Sylvia added a new gig with Midwest Communications to her schedule as a part-time, on-air announcer with 101.1 FM WIXX in Green Bay.
“It’s exciting and scary to do something new at this stage in my life,” she said. “I think I have more courage these days and am more willing to take risks. I like getting feedback so I can continue to get better.”
You can tune in to hear her cheery voice bright and early on some Saturday and Sunday mornings. She plays music and chats about subjects like her listeners’ favorite summer drinks and ice cream flavors.
“I keep it light and casual, like talking with a friend,” she said.
Sylvia came to UW Oshkosh in 2002 after working as a residence hall director and earning a master’s degree in counseling and human resource development from South Dakota State University.
At the radio station, she’s tapping into her undergraduate studies in mass communications at Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa, and her work on the college radio station there.
The recent opportunity with WIXX developed from a true win-win situation.
About three years ago, Sylvia won $1,000 by answering 10 questions on air during Murphy in the Morning’s $1,000 Minute contest. That got her interested in opportunities at the station and she stayed in touch over the years, even winning a few more contests along the way.
Recently the station was looking for some new voices and the timing was right for Sylvia.