The old broadcast studio inside the Department of Communication and Journalism at The University of New Mexico is undergoing a significant transformation.
The former television and news studio has been converted into a live stream studio, featuring a new set, existing camera/audio equipment, and lighting.
Santi Colmenero, the department’s audio-visual technician, has spearheaded the renovation since September 2023 by repurposing equipment that was previously underutilized. "Some of our bigger cameras and lighting weren’t used actively; they were just sitting here dormant," Colmenero stated. "So, I took the initiative to take on the space and redesign it to meet modern contemporary needs."
The revamped space is now equipped for high-quality video productions. Initially, it will be accessible only to faculty and students enrolled in C&J courses. However, plans are in place to eventually extend access to all UNM members and community groups off-campus.
Associate Professor Michael Lechuga highlighted the educational benefits of the new facility: “I get to tell my students now there’s a lab downstairs where you can go and learn how media is made to get a more critical understanding of the media you’re already engaged with, and to me, that’s really invaluable." He emphasized that serving public interests aligns with the university's mission: "If we can present an opportunity for community members around campus or the state to use our resources to promote the university's values, I think it's great."
Lechuga also noted that recycling the studio offers new opportunities for student engagement with media: “Some of our graduate students are doing some amazing research, but they don’t always get the opportunity to travel to conferences to present their research, so a studio like this would be tremendous for them," he said. "Post-COVID a lot of people are doing the online option, so this is just another way to plug into global dialogue that our students are really on the cutting edge of."
Ilia Rodríguez Nazario, another associate professor in Communication and Journalism, sees this development as part of an ongoing evolution within the department. She stated: “We’re very excited about this new live stream studio because it expands the range of opportunities for undergraduate students to practice skills they’re learning in courses essential for success across professional fields in communication." Rodríguez Nazario added that it helps keep pace with changing technology and provides hands-on classroom experience.
Ideas for utilizing the space span various classes such as Multimedia Journalism, Social Media, or Public Speaking courses. Lechuga expressed his vision: “I have had a vision of bringing in some of UNM's Fine Arts students or somebody in performing arts who can share their work with a larger community; building those connections across campus would be really awesome."
Starting Monday, August 19th, there will be a link on the department's website where Communication and Journalism faculty and students can book time slots for using the studio.
