December 1, 2025
St. John’s University has opened a second podcast studio to students, marking a new era of storytelling on the Queens, NY, campus. Located on the second floor of St. Augustine Hall in room 2-114, the space offers students real-world experience in digital media production, enabling them to produce professional-quality podcasts.
The podcasting studio is part of The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies (CCPS)’ efforts to expand multimedia production spaces. The studio is now available for use by students interested in the growing media platform.
Max A. Hergenrother, Associate Dean for Technology and Pedagogic Innovation at the College, and his team built the studio with professional-grade equipment. It includes a green screen wall for dynamic video production; two Blue Yeti studio microphones; a headset for real-time audio monitoring; and a Mac mini for recording, editing, and publishing—all in one place.
“What makes this studio unique is its ease of use and all-in-one setup,” said Karenarose Rizzo, Lab Control Technology Coordinator at CCPS. “Everything from recording to editing to publishing can be done on-site without requiring external equipment or software.”
The studio is open to all students, faculty, administrators, and staff, regardless of program or major. Faculty are welcome to use the space for both academic and personal podcast projects. Studio reservations can be made online.
The new space demonstrates the University’s continuing commitment to hands-on learning and innovation, particularly in the Division of Sport Management, where podcasting has become both an academic tool and a bridge to the industry.
“Podcasting is immensely popular in the sport and entertainment industries,” said David P. Hedlund, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Division of Sport Management. “Creating our own podcast—Sport Intelligence 101—connects industry practice and business activities to the education our students receive.”
The Sport Intelligence 101 podcast serves as a bridge between current students and alumni of the Sport Management program. Each episode features alumni sharing insights about their professional journeys and the lessons learned since graduating.
“Our podcast intends to reach two goals: to reconnect with alumni of the sport management program and to provide students or prospective students with advice and stories to help guide them in their own sport management journey,” said Dylan Roskovensky, Graduate Assistant, Division of Sport Management.
The new studio also supports the Division of Mass Communication, where Michael A. Rizzo, Associate Professor and Director of the Journalism program, teaches a course in Podcasting and Innovative Journalism Trends (JOU2313). His course emphasizes the technical, creative, and ethical foundations of engaging in responsible podcast storytelling.
“Anyone can start a podcast, but the biggest risk is thinking you can just start talking into a microphone and be successful,” Professor Rizzo said. “Learning to carefully plan, prepare, and execute professionally helps students find what works. A structured program also includes ethics, so there are no surprises when challenges arise.”
The new facility joins the studio located on the fourth floor of Marillac Hall and demonstrates the University’s commitment to providing cutting-edge technologies to all students. “Podcasting sits at the intersection of creativity, communication, and technology—precisely where the future of education is headed,” said Luca Iandoli, Ph.D., Dean, The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies, and Professor, Division of Computer Science, Mathematics, and Science. “By making podcasting both simple and accessible, we invite our students and faculty to engage more deeply with ideas, communities, and audiences.”
“This studio is more than a space,” Dean Iandoli added. “It is a catalyst for innovation, authentic expression, and the creation of impactful stories that bridge every discipline.”
Podcasting has evolved into one of the most dynamic and accessible forms of media, expanding beyond audio to include interactive, multimedia storytelling. As new platforms emerge, podcasts are becoming more connected with audiences than ever before.
“Podcasts are very vibrant, aural presentations, but the evolution of podcasts goes to multimedia, especially video podcasting,” Professor Rizzo said. “Successful podcasters now create short videos to share key moments from episodes and invite audiences to engage. That is where the future of media is going, and it is exciting to see St. John’s students leading the way.”
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