Michael Arnold began his role as executive director of integrated public media Monday, overseeing WFIU and WTIU and providing strategic oversight of student media. His responsibilities include setting strategic direction, managing day-to-day operations and making sure the organization stays financially strong.
Arnold, who grew up in Fort Wayne, brings decades of experience in public radio and television across the country. He said the position “felt like the right opportunity” to step into a leadership role he had long been interested in.
For Arnold, coming to Bloomington is also a familial homecoming. His wife lived in Bloomington when she was young, and his niece is currently a senior at IU.
“I’ve always loved it here because I think it brings together the excitement and culture of a Big Ten college town along with some great outdoor beauty,” Arnold said. “I love the hills and all the trees. In Colorado, it was lovely but very dry and brown.”
Arnold succeeds Executive Director Brad Kimmel, who was fired in September 2024 alongside Chief Financial Officer Christina Lirot, after an outside consultant raised concerns about staff morale. Jay Kincaid has served as interim executive director ever since.
Arnold previously served as a chief audience and content officer at KUNC News in Colorado. He said he became aware of the IPM opening last year following the previous director’s departure and decided to visit campus.
“I was just so impressed with everybody I met, and so impressed by IU,” Arnold said. “It’s close to family, but it's also a really exciting opportunity at a place that does some really good work, so I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Arnold is just getting settled in Bloomington, living in an apartment in the Elm Heights neighborhood, which he liked for its walking access to campus and downtown.
“I’ve also seen a lot of deer in the neighborhood, which reminds me of the regular wildlife sightings we used to have in Colorado,” he said.
His first week on the job, Arnold said, will focus on listening. He plans to hold meetings with teams across IPM and meet with individuals, while inviting students and staff to share their ideas.
He’s also been taking time to explore Bloomington and the IU campus itself. He has hiked near Griffy Lake, visited campus landmarks and stopped by the Herman B Wells statue during his interview visit.
“I made sure to visit the Herman B Wells statue and shake his hand before my interview,” Arnold said. “I’m sure that helped me get the job.”
One of the most immediate challenges, Arnold said, will be financial sustainability. Indiana Public Media faces financial pressure as federal funding cuts in 2026 loom. Stations across the state will lose up to $13 million in Corporation for Public Broadcasting support, and Indiana Public Media is expected to lose about $1.4 million annually, roughly 14% of its budget.
“We’ve seen really great support from listeners and viewers, which is really helpful,” Arnold said. “But also looking at other ways that we can raise money through foundations, grants and things of that sort.”
Beyond fundraising, Arnold said he sees another major challenge for public media: finding new ways to reach audiences.
“I think we’re going to have to find new ways of doing things,” Arnold said. “Being able to be better integrated with students and people who are younger and people who use media differently.”
He said he believes working more closely with students could help public media expand its reach and impact.
“There are opportunities for student media and public media to work together in new ways that can help expand the reach of the work,” Arnold said. “Students bring insights that will allow us to figure out what's next in public media so that we can continue to provide a good service to people for another 75 years.”
While Arnold highlighted collaboration with students, the details of how he will oversee student media remain broad. His role is primarily strategic, providing guidance and support to Director of Student Media Jim Rodenbush on training, content partnerships and operational projects to help student media run smoothly. IU Student Media encompasses the Indiana Daily Student, Arbutus yearbook, WIUX student radio, IU Student Television and others.
Arnold said he wanted staff and students to feel comfortable sharing their ideas.
“My door is open,” he said. “By talking to people and getting a sense of what’s going on, I think we’ll come up with really good ideas on how we can keep things strong in the future.”
