The Promise Career Institute in College Park, Georgia, is a dynamic educational environment that prepares students for high-skill, in-demand careers. Assistant principal Cassandra James explains how its podcast studio uses the Roland VR-6HD to tell student stories, amplify their voices, and develop skills that translate into real-world opportunities.

Tell us about The Promise Career Institute and the students you serve. Who are your main client types?
The Promise Career Institute is a dynamic educational environment dedicated to preparing students for high-skill, in-demand careers. Our school serves a diverse group of high school students pursuing an accelerated career diploma. These students are highly motivated to gain hands-on experience and industry certifications, allowing them to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.

Our primary clients are high school students with a passion for technical education and a desire to excel in career-focused pathways. We also partner with local industries and community organizations to ensure that our programs align with workforce needs, providing students real-world opportunities and connections to potential employers.

How did your organization grow to its current size?
At The Promise Career Institute, our recruitment efforts are designed to inspire prospective students and their families by highlighting the cutting-edge technology and hands-on learning experiences available in our state-of-the-art facilities. One of the key attractions during building tours is our innovative Podcast Studio, which immediately captures the attention of visitors.

We also host events, engage in community outreach, and build partnerships with middle schools to showcase what makes The Promise Career Institute unique. Combining a forward-thinking curriculum with industry-grade tools like our Podcast Studio provides a tangible representation of the skills and confidence students will develop here, helping to make their career dreams a reality.

You collaborated with Nisewonger AV in Lawrenceville, GA, on creating your room. Describe that experience.
Collaboration with Nisewonger AV in Lawrenceville, GA, was pivotal in bringing our vision for a state-of-the-art podcast studio to life. At The Promise Career Institute, innovation and empowerment are two of our core values, and the Podcast Studio perfectly embodies both. We envisioned a space where students could harness cutting-edge technology to tell their stories, amplify their voices, and develop skills that translate into real-world opportunities.

When we shared our vision with Nisewonger, their team listened carefully and collaborated with us to design a room that exceeded our expectations. They provided expert guidance on equipment and setup, walked us through their suggestions step-by-step, and ensured every detail aligned with our goal of empowering students through technology.

The result is an innovative space that not only allows students to explore storytelling and broadcasting but also equips them with technical skills that foster confidence and career readiness. This partnership was a perfect blend of expertise and shared commitment to student success.

How is podcasting an essential part of your program offerings, and what does it teach your students?
Podcasting is an essential part of our program as it provides students with a dynamic and multifaceted learning experience that directly reflects our core values. It fosters self-discipline by requiring students to manage their time effectively, meet deadlines, and consistently deliver high-quality content. Teamwork is emphasized through collaboration as students work together to research, plan, record, and produce engaging episodes. By incorporating creativity and exploration, podcasting also encourages innovation, helping students think critically and communicate in unique ways.

Students develop professionalism through producing polished, audience-ready content that mirrors real-world expectations while gaining technical expertise and improving communication skills. Podcasting is also a tool of empowerment, giving students a platform to find their voices, share their perspectives, and build confidence. Through service leadership, students learn to create content that informs, educates, and inspires, using their skills to meet the needs of their audience.

Overall, podcasting is more than just a creative outlet—it is a powerful way to equip students with valuable communication, technical, and interpersonal skills, while consistently modeling and reinforcing our shared values.

Please describe the current A/V setups in which you utilize the Roland VR-6HD.
The current A/V setup utilizing the Roland VR-6HD features the AV mixer located in the corner of the podcast studio. Monitors and cameras are strategically positioned to allow podcasters to view the footage in real-time while filming. This setup ensures that podcasters can make necessary adjustments as needed during the recording process, enhancing the overall production quality.

What specific skills does the VR-6HD help your students learn?
Since the studio has recently opened, the Media and Education Technology Instructor (METI) has been trained on the equipment and is preparing to instruct students on how to utilize it effectively. Currently, most students are focused on the podcasting side rather than production, but with the METI’s guidance, they will gradually transition to learning the technical aspects of audio and video production. This approach ensures students gain a well-rounded understanding of both content creation and behind-the-scenes production skills over time.

How does the VR-6HD help your instructors navigate different teaching demands?
Teachers can leverage the podcast studio as a creative and engaging tool to enhance learning and assess student understanding in a variety of subjects. By incorporating podcast production into their lessons, instructors can create dynamic, multimedia-rich content that resonates with students. For example, teachers might record podcasts that break down complex concepts, host guest experts to share insights, or create audio tutorials for self-paced learning.

Students, in turn, can use the podcast studio to demonstrate their mastery of a topic by creating their own podcasts. This process involves research, scriptwriting, and recording, which encourages critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills. For instance, history students might produce a podcast dramatizing historical events, science students could explain complex phenomena, or literature students might analyze themes in a novel through a talk-show format.