Henry Ford College’s podcast studios, located in the Fine Arts building, offer students a space to explore the art of podcasting. The five rooms are across the hall from the Rick L. Goward Band Room and are equipped with state-of-the-art recording tools such as iMac computers, Podtrack 4 recorders, Shure SM7B microphones, and headphones. Each studio is color coded, soundproofed, and includes a binder with step-by-step instructions for setting up, recording, and saving podcasts. Media and Communication Arts (MCA) lab instructors are available to guide students, ensuring that the studios are user-friendly even for beginners.

The studios are part of the MCA program, which was formerly the Telecommunication Media program. The name change aims to align the program with the modern world of media and content creation. According to MCA program coordinator, Susan McGraw, these updates reflect a larger mission to: “fully support our media students’ success in this era of new tech and content creation.”

Establishing the studios began as a grant proposal submitted to the Dearborn Cable Communications Fund. Once approved, the grant enabled the transformation of outdated audio production suites into modern podcast studios. “We are so grateful to the Dearborn Cable Communications Fund for accepting our proposal and providing the funding to bring this concept to reality,” McGraw said. The studios began with a soft launch in the fall of 2024 for certain classes and are now officially open for student and faculty use.

While students in the MCA program have priority access to the studios, all HFC students and employees can use the facilities for educational purposes. The goal is inclusivity, as MCGraw explained: “Podcasting is universal and should be available to anyone who has a story to tell or questions to ask and wants to share.” The MCA team emphasized maintaining the studios’ professional-grade equipment. Guests must leave the facilities exactly as they found them. Projects must be educational, though students are welcome to share their work on social media.

Students can reserve the studios by scanning QR codes located in the hallway outside the rooms. Reservations must be made at least a day in advance to allow time for an MCA lab technician to prepare the space. Rooms can be reserved for two hour blocks between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.

Raneen Aljaber, a journalism major, tested the podcast studios last semester for an assignment in her Media Writing class. With no prior podcasting experience, Aljaber appreciates the guidance provided by an MCA lab instructor. She described the experience as “a great hands-on experience, and I felt confident using the studio by the end of it.”

Aljaber highlighted the high-quality microphones and soundproofing as standout features, which made recording “super easy and professional.” Her advice to fellow students: leave bags outside the small rooms to maximize space. When asked about her favorite podcasts, she recommended “Jem’s Coffee Shop” and “Busy, Yet Pretty,” which she uses as motivational background noise.

Emily Kunzelmen, another student in the Media Writing class, echoed similar sentiments, calling the studios “a lot of fun.” They appreciated the attention to detail, such as color-coding the rooms and the thorough instructional binder. For Kunzelmen, the studios provided a comfortable space to practice and improve their podcasting skills. They recommended “The Big Picture” for film discussions and “The Magnus Archive” for horror fiction enthusiasts.

For students interested in creating their own podcasts, McGraw highlighted the importance of preparation: “Decide your intention for the podcast and the audience you’re hoping to reach,” she advised. Students are encouraged to outline their podcast’s format, episode length, and prepare a few episode topics before recording. She also stressed the importance of being “responsible, ethical, and kind” when creating content.

The MCA program plans to launch a social media platform to house student podcasts and other projects. These platforms will allow the community to engage with student work. “The point of an educational institution is to instruct, but also to showcase and provide real world opportunities for our students,” McGraw noted.

Students interested in using the studios can bring their own SD cards to save recordings or use the equipment provided to email their files. McGraw and her team are excited to see how students leverage the studios to tell their stories and explore the art of podcasting. With the right tools and support, HFC students have the opportunity to create meaningful and impactful content.