Shreveport, LA – BRF’s Digital Media Institute (DMI) marked a significant milestone on August 13, celebrating its 10th anniversary with a gathering of alumni, students, staff, and friends. The event, held at DMI’s campus in the InterTech 1 building, showcased the institute’s achievements over the past decade and highlighted its contributions to workforce development in the digital media industry.
The celebration offered attendees a unique opportunity to explore the DMI campus, engage with staff, and learn more about the school’s offerings. Guests enjoyed a variety of digital media-themed activities, including a virtual reality (VR) station featuring video games, a 360-degree photo booth, and a raffle.
Founded in 2014, DMI was established with the mission to provide high-caliber training led by industry professionals in a state-of-the-art environment. Over the years, the institute has played a crucial role in enhancing workforce development in digital media, preparing students for successful careers in this rapidly evolving field. Recently, DMI expanded its reach by offering online education in addition to in-person classes, making its programs accessible to students across the United States.
“Today’s businesses are adapting to the expanding digital world, and what they need are highly trained workers who are already knowledgeable in the software used in the field,” said John F. George Jr., President and CEO of BRF. “BRF’s Digital Media Institute fills a workforce need by preparing skilled workers with everything they need to be successful in their chosen fields.”
At the core of DMI’s curriculum is the Digital Animation and Visual Effects certificate program. This one-year accelerated program is the only one of its kind in the region, offering students the opportunity to receive rapid, high-quality training in a professional environment. DMI’s online learning platform, tolearn.dmi.edu, allows students to learn at their own pace, further enhancing the flexibility and accessibility of the institute’s programs.
“At DMI, we are constantly evolving,” said Greg Nelson, DMI Academic Director. “In the past year, we’ve implemented a new, innovative way for prospective students to take our classes, with open registration multiple times a year. We don’t just teach the software needed to work in the field of digital media; we also teach industry mindset.”
DMI alum Yolanda Jackson, who spoke at the anniversary event, shared how the institute has impacted her life. “I’m incredibly proud to be a DMI graduate. This school gave me more than just an education; it equipped me with the tools, confidence, and vision to succeed. It has equipped me to think critically, adapt quickly, and innovate continuously,” she said.
In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, 96 percent of DMI graduates were placed in digital media-related jobs. Many of these graduates have launched their careers at businesses in Northwest Louisiana, such as Troubled Muse Studios, while others have taken advantage of the ability to work remotely.
To support the growing community of digital media professionals, DMI has significantly expanded the content available on its YouTube channel. “We now offer dozens of free resources that support the community we’ve built both online and in North Louisiana,” said Elizabeth Boitnott, DMI Operations Director.
As DMI looks to the future, it remains committed to providing top-tier education and fostering innovation in digital media. To learn more about DMI and its programs, visit dmi.edu.