{"id":10546,"date":"2026-06-18T21:56:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T21:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/?p=10546"},"modified":"2026-06-18T21:56:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T21:56:59","slug":"awake-collaborates-with-wcu-and-industry-partners-on-virtual-courtroom-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/blog\/2026\/06\/18\/awake-collaborates-with-wcu-and-industry-partners-on-virtual-courtroom-project\/","title":{"rendered":"AWAKE collaborates with WCU and industry partners on virtual courtroom project"},"content":{"rendered":"

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    \"AWAKE<\/p>\n

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    It\u2019s difficult for anyone to testify in court.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s especially difficult for a child who has experienced abuse.<\/p>\n

    That\u2019s what Crystal Jones, executive director of AWAKE Children\u2019s Advocacy Center, was thinking about when she and Chris Cox of Western Carolina University began talking about potential service-learning projects. They were brainstorming projects where Cox\u2019s construction management students could apply hands-on what they are learning in ways that would support AWAKE, a nonprofit organization that coordinates services for victims of abuse in Jackson and Swain Counties.<\/p>\n

    \u201cImagine how it feels to be a small child looking out at all these individuals and telling some of the most difficult details of your life,\u201d Jones said. \u201cAWAKE therapists work with children on coping skills to prepare them for court, and we started thinking about how we can bring the courtroom to the child (beforehand) without bringing the child to the courtroom. Our discussion evolved from the idea of building a child-sized playhouse courtroom to building a virtual courtroom.\u201d<\/p>\n

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    Cox, a faculty member within the WCU College of Engineering and Technology, said he suggested virtual reality because it\u2019s increasingly used in construction projects.<\/p>\n

    \u201cInstead of building something as an example, we can create a virtual model of it to get to it faster and not waste materials,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

    Jones was interested in the project as another way to reduce trauma to the child. Jones also could not find where this had been offered before to victims of child abuse. VR components would enable therapists to walk hand-in-hand with a child through a virtual courtroom, prepare for how they will feel, and remember their coping skills, she said.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/405\/2026\/06\/AWAKE-WCU-Collaborative-Service-Learning-Project-36.jpg” alt=”A children’s advocacy center representative tests the virtual courtroom experience.” title_text=”AWAKE-WCU-Collaborative-Service-Learning-Project-36″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”3px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhen the child does enter the actual courtroom, they can be better prepared to use the coping skills they have learned to lessen the trauma and make it more bearable,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

    This spring, student teams in Cox\u2019s CM 431 Construction Project Management class, a Carnegie Institute-recognized service-learning course, worked on multiple projects for AWAKE, including the VR project. A student team spent a weekend afternoon at the Jackson County courthouse when court was out of session to capture comprehensive laser scans. Construction firm Robins & Morton and technology consultant VIATechnik then took the digital files to create an initial virtual reality courtroom experience.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhen Western Carolina University engaged us to help with this initiative, it was an easy \u2018yes\u2019,\u201d Robins & Morton Regional VDC Manager Raney Sledge said. \u201cOur existing relationship with VIATechnik paired with our in-house technology capabilities made us confident that we could create something that met AWAKE\u2019s needs together. Our company tagline is Building With Purpose\u00ae and I can\u2019t think of a project that embodies that call to action more than this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Meanwhile, two other student teams focused on designing and building high-quality playhouses to meet AWAKE\u2019s needs and to be large enough for adults to interact with children inside.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/405\/2026\/06\/AWAKE-WCU-Collaborative-Service-Learning-Project-23.jpg” alt=”A WCU construction management student works on a playhouse for AWAKE Children’s Advocacy Center. Materials were donated by America’s Home Place.” title_text=”AWAKE-WCU-Collaborative-Service-Learning-Project-23″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”3px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    One playhouse will be installed at AWAKE\u2019s Swain County location, offering a great place for outdoor therapeutic activities in the fresh air. Another will be sold as part of a fundraiser for AWAKE. America\u2019s Home Place donated all materials for the playhouses, supported the teams, provided project feedback, and is transporting the playhouses to AWAKE.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    Three additional student teams focused on transforming AWAKE\u2019s wish list for a new mental health and office building into an early building design. Students considered AWAKE\u2019s needs for soundproofing, security, accessibility, bathrooms, lighting, landscaping and more. AWAKE staff reviewed all three designs and identified strengths in each. Student teams then consolidated their work to produce a final design with support from architect Emily Kite from LS3P Associates.<\/p>\n

    AWAKE leaders plan to use the building design and VR project progress as they consider next steps and seek funding to support future project phases. They said they look forward to working with students again in the future.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThey took what we needed and went far beyond our expectations,\u201d Jones said. \u201cI am so impressed with not only the students\u2019 intellect but their willingness to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

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    Students appreciated the opportunity to work on the projects, with some citing it as their most enjoyable project at WCU.<\/p>\n

    Madison Christiansen from Hayesville said the hardest parts included understanding all the intricate details that go into making a design like this and using Autodesk Revit. Ethan Hibberts from Adairsville, Ga., added that another challenge was the unknowns, such as not knowing what the final site would be like. Brady Dunn of Cullowhee said the project was extremely meaningful to all of them.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/405\/2026\/06\/AWAKE-WCU-Collaborative-Service-Learning-Project-2.jpg” alt=”WCU construction management students meet with America’s Home Place representatives who provided guidance and donated construction materials for a service project for AWAKE Children’s Advocacy Center.” title_text=”AWAKE-WCU-Collaborative-Service-Learning-Project-2″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”3px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/405\/2026\/06\/AWAKE-WCU-Collaborative-Service-Learning-Project-17.jpg” alt=”A team of WCU construction management students helped develop building design and renderings for AWAKE Children’s Advocacy Center” title_text=”AWAKE-WCU-Collaborative-Service-Learning-Project-17″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt helps us give back to the community,\u201d Dunn said. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty cool to work closely with the (partner) companies and the client, and we\u2019re using the skills we\u2019ve learned at Western to benefit a group of individuals who have gone through a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

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    “Our discussion evolved from the idea of building a child-sized playhouse courtroom to building a virtual courtroom,” said Crystal Jones, executive director of AWAKE Children\u2019s Advocacy Center.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3401,"featured_media":10688,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[86],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10546","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wcu-engineering"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10546","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10546"}],"version-history":[{"count":102,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10546\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10714,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10546\/revisions\/10714"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10546"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10546"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cet-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10546"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}