KUAF Names New General Manager
KUAF 91.3 FM, NPR affiliate for west and northwest Arkansas, has named Clint Schaff as its new general manager, the third in the station’s history. Schaff brings a wealth of experience and a track record of creativity in media to the station.
Schaff has led high-performing cross-functional teams for various media organizations including founding LA Times Studios, the audio and video programming and development division of the Los Angeles Times. In 2020, AdWeek recognized him among its Creative 100, highlighting notable creatives in marketing, media and culture.
“Clint’s creativity and talent for finding people to execute grand ideas transformed the LA Timeswhen he helped create LA Times Studios, and he did the same when he created California’s NEWSTORY storytelling festival,” said Bret Schulte, chair of the University of Arkansas School of Journalism and Strategic Media.
“We’re thrilled to welcome a general manager of his caliber to lead KUAF as it continues to serve new audiences and launch new platforms,” he added.
In addition to his experience at the LA Times, Schaff has consulted for multiple organizations and taught at the University of Southern California and University of Arkansas. While at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Schaff pioneered a graduate school program in social media, digital strategy, Internet marketing and online social networking.
“Clint brings a career of innovative media leadership and community involvement to the job,” said Kyle Kellams, KUAF news director and host of Ozarks at Large. “I’m excited to see how KUAF grows with Clint leading the way.”
After studying journalism at the University of Minnesota, where Schaff launched and edited a student-run magazine, he earned a Master of Arts in communications management from USC’s Annenberg Program on Online Communities, the first program to focus on the effective management, production, development, use and power of online communities.
Schaff’s projects have also included podcasts, scripted and unscripted video productions, live events and branded entertainment, showcasing his ability to drive significant revenue and audience engagement. His work on the LA Times Short Docs project resulted in the Timeswinning its first Academy Award for “The Last Repair Shop.” He intends to channel his passion for news, music and public service into his role at KUAF.
Since moving to Arkansas from California in 2022, Schaff has been deeply involved in the Northwest Arkansas community. He served as a resident ambassador for the Northwest Arkansas Council and was also a volunteer, seasonal contributor and part of the staff for the Bentonville Film Festival over the last two years.
“I’m ready to see where we can take KUAF together,” Schaff said. “In today’s challenging media landscape, the need for trusted news and community-building platforms like public radio is more crucial than ever.
“There’s so much potential for increasing community engagement, fostering creative expression and driving innovative content through our radio broadcasts, digital platforms, events and more,” he added. “I look forward to collaborating with the teams at KUAF, the University of Arkansas and the Northwest Arkansas community to make it happen.”
Schaff began his role as KUAF general manager on July 8. The station will hold a welcome reception in the fall.
About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas’ flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.
About the School of Journalism and Strategic Media: The School of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Arkansas offers full-time and part-time degree programs for undergraduates as well as a graduate master’s degree program. Students major in journalism or advertising and public relations, and they receive instruction, guidance and access to hands-on experience from seasoned, award-winning faculty and staff. The school is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and media discourse. The journalism program was established at the U of A by Walter J. Lemke in 1930. Visit the school’s website for more information.
About KUAF: Owned by the University of Arkansas as part of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, KUAF provides a 14-county area of west and northwest Arkansas, parts of eastern Oklahoma and southern Missouri with the only source of national and international news from NPR as well as a daily local news magazine Ozarks at Large. Serving a potential audience of more than 600,000 people, KUAF also offers classical music during the nighttime hours and a variety of public radio programs on the weekends. Located across the street from the Fayetteville Public Library, at 9 S. School Ave., KUAF is at the center of the intellectual and artistic hub of northwest Arkansas.
This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.