The AVIXA Foundation has selected the recipients of the 2026 Michael Vergauwen Scholarships.

The selection reflects some of the disciplines attracting the next generation of professionals: networked AV, educational integration, control systems, event production, immersive technologies and lighting.

Bringing new professionals into the workforce remains one of the audiovisual industry’s recurring challenges. Beyond the award of ten scholarships, this year’s selection provides insight into the profiles entering the sector.

The ten selected students will each receive a one-time award of $2,500 for studies related to professional AV. Their backgrounds reveal an increasingly interdisciplinary approach to education, in which electrical and mechanical engineering, computer science, audiovisual production, interactive media, lighting, film and educational technology are connected through audiovisual integration projects.

From university to networked AV

One such profile 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 interest lies in networked audiovisual systems and the infrastructure that supports them.

Also working in a university environment, Taha Jamshidi has gained experience with sound, projection and immersive technologies, as well as working alongside AV engineers on classroom technology upgrades. His professional goal is to design advanced educational environments.

The integration of technology into teaching spaces also features in the career path 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.

These profiles reflect the growing importance of universities as complex integration environments, where audiovisual systems, communications, networks, automation and spatial design increasingly converge.

Engineering, control and infrastructure

Tyler Stanga’s career path is particularly closely connected to the work of integrators and consultants. The electrical engineering student first encountered the sector through an internship at sparkAV and later took part in installations and on-site coordination work with electricians.

His goal is to specialise 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 highlights the gradual disappearance of the boundaries between AV, IT and technical infrastructure. Knowledge of devices remains important, but systems design increasingly requires skills 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 currently leads a technical support team for events at Western Carolina University, with the aim of progressing towards directing larger-scale productions.

Jordan McPhee, meanwhile, entered the AV sector through film 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 theatre production. Since then, she has expanded her training alongside lighting designers and intends to continue developing both her artistic and technical skills.

Interactive technology and new fields of application

Other profiles extend the traditional boundaries of professional audiovisual technology even further.

Ethan Poon began by developing a digital interface for a small business and later founded an organisation dedicated to producing digital resources for small businesses and non-profit organisations. His background combines interactive media, technology development and artificial intelligence applied to medical imaging.

Doan Tran, an electrical and computer engineering student, plans to build a career developing technologies that can facilitate 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 develop a career in film, editing and post-production.

A sector with increasingly hybrid profiles

Taken together, the selected candidates portray an AV industry that differs from one organised exclusively around disciplines such as audio, video or lighting.

The new generation is entering the sector from engineering, networking, software, interactive design, audiovisual production and educational technology, 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.