Mt. San Jacinto College Celebrates Grand Opening of Studio215 and ieNOW at Menifee Valley Campus
1/26/2026
Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) celebrated the grand opening of Studio215 and ieNOW last Friday at the Menifee Valley Campus, marking a significant milestone in expanding professional media production, student workforce development, and regional storytelling across the Inland Empire.
The event welcomed community leaders, faculty, staff, students, and media partners for studio tours, live demonstrations, and conversations highlighting how the new facilities will serve both students and the broader community.
Studio215 is a full-service video production studio operated in partnership with MSJC’s Creative Media Department, providing professional content creation for local businesses, cities, and municipalities while offering students hands-on, real-world experience. The studio is staffed by two full-time media professionals, both MSJC graduates, who mentor students while delivering industry-quality production services.
Alan Marsala, Associate Professor of Digital Media and Chair of the Creative Media Department, emphasized the studio’s mission to retain and grow creative talent in the region.
“As a content creator raised in the Inland Empire, it was generally understood that in order to find a creative career, you had to leave the area,” Marsala said. “We’re looking to change that with Studio215. The presence of a broadcast facility with an instructional purpose helps build community among content creators while bringing much-needed production capabilities to local businesses.”
Marsala also highlighted ieNOW, the Inland Empire’s first comprehensive regional media channel, as a platform designed to unite the region through shared storytelling.
“ieNOW invites residents to take an active role in telling their own stories,” he said. “With so many people in the Inland Empire, it’s long overdue to build a sense of community around what makes this region unique. That’s exactly what ieNOW aims to do.”
Roger Schultz, MSJC Superintendent/President and a former communications major, reflected on the importance of investing in media literacy, storytelling, and student opportunity.
“As someone who studied communications, I understand the power of media to inform, connect, and build trust,” Schultz said.
“Studio215 and ieNOW represent more than new facilities—they are learning laboratories where students gain practical experience while helping our region tell its own story. We are deeply grateful to Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington for his leadership and support in securing ARPA funding that made this vision possible.”
Funding for Studio215 and ieNOW was made possible through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) resources supported by Chuck Washington, whose investment helped address the Inland Empire’s long-standing media capacity gaps while strengthening workforce development opportunities for students.
ieNOW streams on Amazon Fire TV, Roku, iOS, and Android, featuring local artists, musicians, docuseries, food and culture programming, business highlights, sports, and news. With the tagline “Our Region. Your Stories. Right Now,” the channel offers live and on-demand content, as well as underwriting opportunities for local businesses.
Together, Studio215 and ieNOW reflect MSJC’s commitment to innovation, regional engagement, and preparing students for creative careers—right here in the Inland Empire.