How Genesee Community College Future-Proofed 46+ Classrooms for the HyFlex Era
The Challenge
After 2020, colleges everywhere faced a new challenge — in-person attendance declined sharply, and students increasingly expected a seamless remote experience. At Genesee Community College (GCC), enrollment dropped from 5,612 students in 2019 to 4,587 in 2022. By 2023, GCC began rebounding, and with that came a renewed focus on delivering education that worked for both in-person and virtual students. GCC’s leadership recognized the importance of HyFlex teaching — where faculty can teach both audiences simultaneously without compromise. To make it real, they needed a system that was simple, scalable, and smart. That’s where Vibe AV came in.
At-a-Glance: What We Delivered
- 46+ Classrooms Upgraded
- 3.5-Year Phased Rollout
- 100% HyFlex Ready
- Shure + Yamaha Audio Everywhere
- 1-Touch Control via Crestron
- Remote System Monitoring
Project Snapshot
- Client: Genesee Community College (SUNY GCC)
- Scope: 46+ classrooms, labs, lecture halls, and training spaces
- Timeline: 3.5 years (phased rollout)
- Core Technology: Crestron control, Yamaha audio, Sony projection, Shure mics, Araknis switching
- Objective: Enable reliable, HyFlex-ready teaching environments for all instructors and learners
The Vibe AV Approach
Vibe AV worked alongside GCC’s IT and facilities teams to design a consistent experience across all learning environments. Every room — from small training spaces to large lecture halls — was equipped with tools that made hybrid teaching effortless.
- Crestron Touch Panels: Simple, tap-to-start control in every room.
- Yamaha Audio: Clear sound throughout, thanks to VXL1B line array speakers.
- Shure Wireless Mics: Professors could move naturally while remaining perfectly audible.
- Sony Projection + HDMI Infrastructure: Easy media sharing for in-person and remote attendees.
- Remote Monitoring: Centralized equipment tracking for reduced service calls.
- Rack Systems: Full-size and slim rack designs with structured cabling for long-term serviceability.
What Changed
GCC’s faculty no longer needed to choose between in-room and remote learners. With one touch, classes were live. Students online felt like they were part of the discussion, not just silent observers. The AV tech didn’t get in the way — it faded into the background and simply worked.
Faculty Feedback: “Before the upgrades, getting Zoom to cooperate was a daily hassle. Now it just works.”
Student Impact: “Remote classes used to feel distant. Now I feel like I’m in the room.” And because of the consistent interface, instructors could walk into any classroom and feel confident — no new training required.
Before vs. After
GCC’s AV Transformation
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Zoom via personal laptops | Touch panel-controlled Crestron rooms |
| Inconsistent audio quality | Yamaha line arrays with even coverage |
| Multiple remotes, unclear UI | 1-touch control with unified interface |
| No remote monitoring | Centralized visibility + alerts |
| Faculty needed tech help daily | Walk-in-and-teach simplicity |
Built for What’s Next
This wasn’t a one-time upgrade. Every design decision considered the long-term. – Standardized UI and infrastructure – Modular expansion capabilities – Equipment with multi-year service life – Systems that scale across departments As teaching methods evolve, GCC’s classrooms are ready to support whatever’s next.
From the IT Team: “From our side, everything just works now — fewer tickets, less classroom panic, and full visibility on system uptime.”- GCC IT Staff Member
Client Feedback: “Jay, Joseph, and their team always take time to understand the needs and budget of my projects. They design, install, and maintain top-tier systems with skill and care. The team is knowledgeable, friendly, flexible, and professional — and they take real pride in their customer service.” – Greg Brooks, Genesee Community College
Final Thought
If your classrooms still rely on workarounds, GCC’s model proves there’s a better way — and we’re ready to help you build it.
