Maddie Schaffer Photo
by Civic Media News Director, Chali Pittman
When former Promethean Editor-in-Chief Maddie Schaffer graduated from UW-Superior last spring, she did something she hadn’t done in years; she took a breath. “I took the summer to myself. I just needed that pause before deciding what came next,” Schaffer said.
By fall, Schaffer had applied for a reporting position at Civic Media, a statewide radio network based in Madison, Wis. The hiring process took some time. Civic Media was still deciding whether they wanted to expand its coverage. After two rounds of interviews, she got the call!
Schaffer accepted an offer and is now a full-time reporter for WBZH 96.9 and WHSM 101.1. She produces daily audio newscasts and her stories are published online through Civic Media’s shared WordPress system; similar to the tools used by the Promethean. Her reporting is shared on the radio, digital platforms, and social media owned by Civic Media.
Signal range map
Contributed by Civic Media Market Manager Mark Lundeen
Schaffer graduated with a degree in Multimedia Journalism and a minor in Psychology, a mix she felt helped her understand people, communicate clearly, and build trust within the community. “I bounced around between journalism, psychology, and music my first two years but psychology actually goes hand-in-hand with journalism. It’s about understanding people,” she explained.
Her time at the Promethean played a crucial role in preparing her for the fast-paced world of radio. “The writing is really different. Radio is shorter, conversational, but still formal,” she said.
Her coverage area is extensive, stretching from Spooner to Rice Lake and north toward Solon Springs. “It’s a big circle,” she joked.
When asked where she drew inspiration for her journalism career, Schaffer credits podcasts for sparking her interest and adds, “Tom Hansen has been a key mentor. He is such a good teacher. He has so much experience and such a passion for professional journalism. Not everyone has that, so it’s special to learn from someone who really cares.”
Schaffer’s advice for students closing in on graduation is, “Take your time. The right thing will come to you. Some people had internships before they graduated, and that’s great, but if you don’t, it doesn’t mean you’re behind. Timing is everything.”
To see more of Maddie’s work tune into WBZH 96.9 FM, WHSM 101 FM, or visit: https://wbzh.fm/.
*Editor’s Note: An error was found on the spelling of Maddie Schaffer’s last name and Chali Pittman’s first name. The correction was made on Dec 19, 2025. Our college paper strives for accuracy. We apologize.
Errors can be reported to Promethean@uwsuper.edu *
