Diné College Radio Station KXWR-LP Achieves Significant Growth as a Student-Centered Voice for Tribal Colleges
TSAILE, Ariz. August 28, 2026. KXWR-LP, the low-power FM radio station operated by Diné College at 92.1 FM, has grown from a music-only station into a student-centered platform that reflects Diné culture and serves the community. Under the direction of Radio Announcer Isaac Madson, the station now lifts student voices while promoting the mission of Diné College.
The station broadcasts across a 10-mile area around campus. It also streams online, which carries its signal far beyond the reservation. Listeners now tune in from cities such as Chicago, Albuquerque, and Phoenix. KXWR-LP partners with KSJD Broadcasting in Cortez, Colorado. This partnership lets the station air on national public radio shows, including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.” As a result, listeners hear a mix of national news, local news, and stories from across the Navajo Nation.
The station also refreshed its website and logo. The new design honors Diné culture while staying modern. A cornstalk stands for knowledge and learning. Lightning reflects its cultural meaning and its ties to rain. Weaving points to the station’s goal of weaving stories together. The colors keep the Diné College blue, white, and yellow, with green added for the cornstalk.
Music at KXWR-LP is wide and varied. The rotation blends traditional songs, powwow songs, and traditional songs from other Nations. It also features modern Native bands, reservation bands, and mainstream artists such as Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars. This approach shows that Native American music covers many genres, from country to rock. Students sit at the heart of the station’s work. They share stories on air, record interviews, write blogs, and cover campus events with their phones. Madson coaches student hosts to speak as if talking to one friend. Through this work, students become published creators and confident speakers who gain skills for their future careers.
The station also faces challenges. Its FCC license is set to expire soon, and KXWR-LP works without a dedicated communications lawyer. The station’s Emergency Alert System is not working, which is a serious compliance concern. Fixing the system is a top priority, and staff continue careful research to meet FCC rules. Despite limited resources, KXWR-LP continues to serve its listeners and advance the college’s mission each day.
About Diné College
Diné College is a fully accredited tribal college located in Tsaile, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. Founded in 1968, it stands as the first tribally chartered college in the United States, dedicated to advancing Navajo language, culture, and community through higher education. Guided by the philosophy of Sá’ah Naagháí Bik’eh Hózhóón, the college integrates Diné teachings with academic excellence across its associate and bachelor’s degree programs. Diné College proudly serves students from the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities, fostering leadership, scholarship, and service to the broader region. For more information, visit [www.dinecollege.edu].
Photo: Spring 2026 Marketing Interns: Tylia Begaye, Jimmee Sanders, Raquel Tom
