The AVIXA Foundation has selected the recipients of the 2026 Michael Vergauwen Scholarships. The selection reflects some of the disciplines attracting the new generation of professionals: networked AV, educational integration, control systems, event production, immersive technologies and lighting.
Attracting new professionals remains a recurring challenge for the audiovisual industry. Beyond the awarding of ten scholarships, this year’s selection provides an insight into the types of profiles entering the sector.
The ten selected students will each receive a one-time award of $2,500 to support studies related to professional AV. Their backgrounds reflect an increasingly interdisciplinary approach to education, connecting electrical and mechanical engineering, computer science, audiovisual production, interactive media, lighting, film and educational technology with audiovisual integration projects.
From university to networked AV
One of these students is Logan Anthony, who began working as an audiovisual technician while studying in Pace University’s educational media department. He currently oversees the campus’s AV operations while completing his computer science studies. His main area of interest is networked audiovisual systems and the infrastructure that supports them.
Also within a university environment, Taha Jamshidi has worked with sound, projection and immersive technologies, as well as alongside AV engineers on classroom technology upgrades. His professional goal is to design advanced educational environments.
Technology integration in learning spaces also features in the experience of Ana Olmeda, a mechanical engineering student who has contributed to audiovisual installations, technology integration processes, fabrication and the development of learning spaces at the University of Texas at El Paso.
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These profiles reflect the growing importance of universities as complex integration environments in which audiovisual systems, communications, networks, automation and spatial design increasingly converge.
Engineering, control and infrastructure
Tyler Stanga’s experience is particularly closely connected to the work of integrators and consultants. The electrical engineering student entered the sector through an internship at sparkAV and later took part in installations and on-site coordination work with electricians.
His goal is to specialize as an AV systems engineer, particularly in the integration of control systems and electrical infrastructure for large-scale audiovisual installations.
This type of profile also illustrates the gradual disappearance of the boundaries between AV, IT and technical infrastructure. Knowledge of individual devices remains important, but systems design increasingly requires expertise in networking, programming, electrical systems, interoperability and comprehensive project management.
Events, lighting and experiences
The selection also includes profiles focused on live production and in-person experiences.
Ben Howard began working with lighting at the age of 12 and now leads a technical support team for events at Western Carolina University, with the aim of progressing towards managing larger-scale productions.
Jordan McPhee, meanwhile, entered the AV field through filmmaking and currently combines film studies with live event production.
In the field of lighting, Melody Vilitchai discovered the discipline while working as a followspot operator on a theatrical production. Since then, she has expanded her training alongside lighting designers and intends to continue developing both the artistic and technical sides of her career.
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Interactive technology and emerging fields of application
Other profiles extend the traditional boundaries of professional AV even further.
Ethan Poon began by developing a digital interface for a small business and later founded an organization dedicated to producing digital resources for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. His experience combines interactive media, technology development and artificial intelligence applied to medical imaging.
Doan Tran, an electrical and computer engineering student, is building a career around developing technologies that can improve access to services related to education, healthcare and public administration.
Finally, Samantha Rosinski combines audiovisual production and post-production with technical support for other users of creative tools. Her goal is to build a career in film, editing and post-production.
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A sector with increasingly hybrid profiles
Taken together, the selected applicants portray an AV industry that differs from one organized exclusively around disciplines such as audio, video and lighting.
The new generation is entering the industry through engineering, networking, software, interactive design, audiovisual production and educational technologies, finding in integration a field where all these disciplines ultimately converge.
For integrators, manufacturers and consultants, this evolution affects more than recruitment. It also highlights some of the skills gaining importance: AV over IP, control, programming, infrastructure, experience design, interoperability and a cross-disciplinary understanding of technology-enabled spaces.
