This story was updated with the club’s new logo in November 2024.
GCSU has introduced a new way for students to connect with campus life: GC Weekly, a podcast produced by members of the GCSU Podcasting Club. The club, advised by Dr. Chad
Whittle, an assistant professor of mass communication, releases episodes every Thursday. The episodes offer insight into student groups, campus events and interviews with students and faculty.
With a background in radio broadcasting and podcasting, Whittle explained why he launched the club.
“Podcasting has really grown over the past decade,” Whittle said. “I thought providing students with an opportunity to learn podcasting and gain experience producing podcasts would be beneficial. It’s a growing industry.”
His goal is to equip students with crucial skills in today’s media landscape.
“The podcast is a great line on students’ resumes,” Whittle said. “Employers are looking for graduates who have experience in writing, video and audio since it’s a profitable medium and an
effective way to reach audiences.”
The student-run podcast has quickly gained momentum, thanks to a dedicated team led by president and host Mary Sinkule, a senior mass communications major. Sinkule joined the club due to her passion for communication and the opportunity it offered to connect with others.
“I’ve always loved connecting with people,” Sinkule said. “Podcasting gives me a platform to
learn about what others are passionate about. When I interviewed for the role of president and
host, it felt like the perfect fit. I wanted to lead our team in creating engaging content and inspire
others to get involved.”
Producing GC Weekly is a collaborative effort. Sinkule described the team’s process for
preparing each episode.
“First, we meet as a team to discuss who our guests will be for each portion of the show,” Sinkule said. “Then, I research the subject and the episode’s potential guest to learn as much as I can about them prior to the interview. After that, I draft a rough outline to use as a guide throughout the conversation. Alyssa Crosby, GC Weekly’s producer, schedules a time with our guests and ensures they are prepared and comfortable. Finally, after recording the episode, Turner Gillis, GC Weekly’s editor, works his magic to perfect our episode before being published.”
As the producer, Crosby, a senior mass communication major, plays a key role in
making sure each episode runs smoothly.
“My role involves sourcing guests for weekly interviews and staying on top of upcoming events to find relevant speakers,” Crosby said. “I help ensure that each episode features engaging conversations by coordinating interviews and selecting guests who can offer valuable perspectives on timely topics.”
For Gillis, a senior mass communication major, the editing process is rewarding but
requires attention to detail.
“The most challenging part is making sure everyone is on a somewhat similar volume level and
taking out all the weird noises people make or background audio,” Gillis said. “It’s rewarding
because it feels good knowing I did some edits, and the listener won’t notice it. Just finishing the
episode is satisfying in that base sense of it feels good to complete something.”
GC Weekly aims to make a meaningful impact in the GCSU community by sparking curiosity
and connection among listeners. Sinkule hopes the podcast encourages students to engage with campus life in new ways.
“I hope that GC Weekly will create a sense of connection and curiosity within our community,” Sinkule said. “By sharing diverse stories and passions I want listeners to feel inspired to engage with others and participate in new experiences. GCSU is such a special community full of so many unique opportunities that we do not want anyone to miss out on.”
Crosby also noted how the club has impacted her growth by pushing her outside of her
comfort zone. She notes that this experience has impacted her social skills by creating a more
outgoing version of herself.
Whittle has high hopes for the club’s future and sees it as a long-term fixture on campus.
“My goal is that the club will consistently produce a podcast weekly during the fall and spring
semesters,” Whittle said. “I want it to become a well-known resource for students to stay updated on what’s happening around campus.”
As the club grows, it remains open to new members. Sinkule encourages anyone with an interest in communication or media production to join.
“Whether you’re interested in hosting, producing, editing or just sharing ideas, we’d love to
have you on the team,” Sinkule said.
The club meets every Monday in the podcast studio located in Terrell Hall. The podcasting club’s presence is growing; students and faculty can keep up with them by following their Instagram @gcsupodcastingclub.
