PBS Reno Director of Membership Sam Harris Named
Rising Star in Public Media
RENO, NV (AUGUST 9, 2023) — PBS Reno Director of Membership Sam Harris has been named a Rising Star in Public Media, a new initiative from Current. Current is a nonprofit news organization covering public media in the U.S. for professionals in the industry. Leaders and staff at NPR, PBS, CPB, public radio and TV stations, independent producers, board members, and national policymakers rely on Current for information, inspiration and insights into this mission-driven field.
Current’s Rising Star initiative shines a spotlight on public media’s up-and-coming-talent. Harris is one of 22 public media professionals nationwide to earn this recognition for making a mark on their organizations and communities, whose ideas and skills are redefining public media.
“I am deeply honored to be selected as a Current Rising Star of 2023,” Harris said. “The work that PBS Reno does in our community is engaging, enriching, and essential. Being part of a talented team of dedicated individuals is what fuels my work and determination in the field of public media.”
Harris joined PBS Reno in 2018 as Administrative Assistant and was promoted to Development Coordinator that same year. In 2020, she was promoted to Director of Membership. In the three years in her current role, the number of PBS Reno members (financially-active viewers) increased from 8,700 to 12,500.
“We are so proud of Sam here at PBS Reno; not only for her work but for the momentum she has nurtured in our department and at the station overall,” said Emma Glenn, PBS Reno VP of Development. “She has taken PBS Reno’s membership to new highs while finding new ways to engage and motivate our community to increase their giving. Her work ethic, drive, and desire for healthy collaboration among her colleagues is inspiring and appreciated by all who work with her.”
Current received 238 nominations for Rising Stars from stations of all sizes across the country and from national organizations and programs. The inaugural class of 22 Rising Stars recognized by Current work in a variety of audience-facing and behind-the-scenes roles at stations and national organizations in 14 states and the District of Columbia.
“There’s so much talent in public media,” said Julie Drizin, Current Executive Director. “We wanted to recognize exceptional individuals and raise their profiles on a national level. The tremendous response to this new initiative demonstrates that there’s a real interest in acknowledging the unique contributions of younger staff in a broad range of jobs, and celebrating their passion for their work.”
About PBS Reno
As of February 2023, PBS Reno Channel 5.1 is watched weekly by more than 98,377 people in approximately 67,400 households in northern and central Nevada and northeastern California, with viewership on multicast channels Reno Create 5.2 and PBS KIDS Reno 5.3. PBS Reno channels are also available on cable, satellite services, and via livestream on YouTube TV. PBS Reno provides PBS national programming and award-earning, locally-produced content, with many local segments posted weekly to PBS Reno’s YouTube Channel. PBSReno.org provides engaging interactive content, including the video portal at watch.PBSReno.org that streams all locally-produced content and most PBS national content. PBS Reno serves students, teachers, parents and caregivers through immersive educational services including Curiosity Classroom Workshops that bring classroom lessons to life with standards-based lessons and activities. Through the support of local corporations and foundations, as well as thousands of individual members, PBS Reno has been delivering public television and educational services to the communities it serves since 1983.
Contact us:
Membership Questions: membership@pbsreno.org
Programming Hotline: programming@pbsreno.org
Phone: 775.600.0555
Address: 1670 N. Virginia St. • Reno NV 89503