Audio Engineers of Detroit (AED), an audio production, recording, and training facility in Detroit, has entered into an agreement with Ferris State University in Big Rapids that enables AED students to receive university credit for their coursework.
The program establishes a pathway for students to pursue Ferris State’s Bachelor of Science in elevision and Digital Media Production (TDMP) degree, furthering their education and career opportunities in the audio and digital media industries.
The collaboration was spearheaded by Robin Kinnie, president and CEO of Audio Engineers of Detroit, and Glen Okonoski, director of Ferris State’s School of Digital Media.
Kinnie serves on the board of directors of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, while Okonoski sits on the board of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation; it was within the latter organization that initial discussions about the partnership began.
“We talked about the prospects of collaboration, as AED’s coursework provides an augmented level of training, specifically in audio content creation,” Okonoski says. “Our Bachelor of Science in Television and Digital Media Production would allow the students to start in the AED program, then continue and expand their training at Ferris.”
Under the agreement, AED students will have the opportunity to apply their credits toward Ferris State’s TDMP program, which can lead to freelance, corporate, and governmental video production and management jobs.
In addition to the credit transfer program, Ferris State and AED are exploring ways to enhance Ferris’s Broadcast Engineering minor, making it accessible to AED students in Detroit. This initiative aligns with Ferris State President Bill Pink’s stated vision to attract and engage more students from metro Detroit.
“At the heart of innovation is education, and by partnering with Ferris State University, we’re empowering the next generation of audio engineers in Detroit,” says Kinnie. “This collaboration isn’t just about teaching skills, it’s about unlocking potential, fostering creativity, and shaping the future of the music and technology industries.”
Audio Engineers of Detroit, founded by the husband and wife team of Michael and Robin Kinnie in Midtown Detroit in 2021, offers a comprehensive 52-week program designed to equip students with the skills needed for a professional career in audio recording engineering and music production.
The program covers everything from entry-level concepts to advanced techniques, with hands-on, instructor-led training using state-of-the-art equipment. New this year is a Dante certification workshop designed to deepen knowledge of Dante’s networks design and troubleshooting.
AED will host an open house on March 3 for prospective students to explore its facilities, meet instructors, and learn more about its programs. The next classes begin in March and September, with both day and evening options available to accommodate diverse schedules.
For more information, visit here.
, an audio production, recording, and training facility in Detroit, has entered into an agreement with Ferris State University in Big Rapids that enables AED students to receive university credit for their coursework.){kind=link}