Scholarships
Every year, the AVIXA Foundation awards thousands of dollars to students and emerging professionals from secondary, undergraduate and graduate programs, who show a keen interest in pursuing careers in the audiovisual industry.
The 2021 scholarships application window is closed.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
This scholarship supports the growth of women and gender equality in the audiovisual and integrated experience industry.
This scholarship is intended as encouragement for women to become active leaders and role models in the industry. The award recognizes a young adult or student determined to leave her mark as an AV professional. This person demonstrates grit and a commitment to her future, displaying a passion for creative solutions to challenges she faces in life.
This scholarship is a one-time award towards tuition for an applicant studying a subject related to AV anywhere in the world. This person is enrolled at a community or technical college, entering at least their third year of undergraduate, or graduate study at a recognized, accredited program. This scholarship may alternatively act as stipend for a certified internship or apprenticeship during secondary/high school.
In addition, recipient receives complimentary AVIXA Student Membership, is offered a place in an industry mentor program, and an invitation to an annual AVIXA trade show.
*Recipients under 21 may bring a parent or guest.
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Strongly encourage people who identify as female to apply
- Enrolled in secondary/high school, vocational, undergraduate, or a graduate program related to the audiovisual and integrated experience industry
- Is not currently employed full-time by an audiovisual company
- Demonstrates keen interest in an AV career through studies and extracurricular activities
- Previous winners are ineligible
Applications are judged by a panel composed of industry leaders. Winners are considered holistically and selected based on:
- Presentation of application
- School performance and standing in community
- Demonstrated leadership
- AV-related experience
- Any work experience
- Written essay
- Recommendation letters
Irene Ataifo - Howard Community College
The 2021 recipient Osefhen Ataifo holds an associate degree in Cyber Forensics Technology from Howard Community College and is currently enrolled in the college’s Audiovisual Technology associate degree program. Ataifo was determined to pursue her passion in audio, despite feeling like it was an unconventional career path for a Black woman. She says today she no longer uses her anxiety to make decisions, but the power of her individuality.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
This scholarship honors the legacy Michael Vergauwen, late COO of AVI Systems and long-time AVIXA board member. It is aimed at students in pursuit of a technical or advanced degree towards an audiovisual career.
Michael firmly believed that growth in our industry comes from providing opportunities to anyone with the passion and desire to build a career as an AV professional. This scholarship is a one-time award paid towards tuition for an applicant studying a subject related to AV at a community or technical college, entering at least their third year of undergraduate, or graduate study at an accredited program.
In addition, recipient receives complimentary AVIXA Student Membership, is offered a place in an industry mentor program, and an invitation to an annual AVIXA trade show.
*Recipients under 21 may bring a parent or guest.
- Be a graduating secondary/high school student enrolled in an undergraduate program, enrolled in a degree program at a technical or community college, or graduate school candidate
- Major in audiovisual-related field(s), such as audio, video, audiovisual, music production, radio/television/film broadcast, IT, media and content, retail design, or another program related to careers in the audiovisual industry
- Show proof of enrollment as a full-time or substantial part-time (minimum 6-9 credit hours) where the student plans to complete his or her degree
- Maintain good standing as a student and achieve at least a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent standard based on region in the world)
- Demonstrates keen interest in an AV career through studies and extracurricular activities
- Previous winners are ineligible
Applicants are judged by a panel composed of industry leaders. Winners are considered holistically and selected based on:
- Presentation of application
- School performance and standing in community
- Demonstrated leadership
- AV-related experience
- Any work experience
- Written essay
- Recommendation letters
Angelina Jonkaitis - Valencia College
The 2021 recipient Angelina Jonkaitis is a student at Valencia College studying live entertainment design and production. Jonkaitis is passionate about live audio and began mixing for their high school theater during freshman year. Their dream is to mix for live Broadway shows, but they also love the installation side of AV. Jonkaitis is currently an intern at AV integration firm RelianceAV and excelling at building AV racks, cable terminations, and wire management.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Our motto is AV is for everyone. We strive for a future where our industry fully represents the world in which we live. The more perspectives shared, voices heard, and onramps we can build, the more we can achieve together.
This scholarship was conceived by AVIXA's Diversity Council to support further inclusivity within our community. It recognizes individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, races, gender identities, sexual orientation, religious affiliations, veterans status, disabilities, and national origins, whose imagination and thinking will influence the future of our global industry.
It is a one-time award towards tuition for an applicant studying a subject related to AV anywhere in the world. This person is enrolled at a community or technical college, entering at least their third year of undergraduate, or graduate study at a recognized, accredited program. This scholarship may alternatively act as stipend for a certified internship or apprenticeship during secondary/high school.
In addition, recipient receives complimentary AVIXA Student Membership, is offered a place in an industry mentor program, and an invitation to an annual AVIXA trade show.
*Recipients under 21 may bring a parent or guest.
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Enrolled in secondary/high school, vocational, undergraduate, or a graduate program related to the audiovisual and integrated experience industry
- Is not currently employed full-time by an audiovisual company
- Demonstrates keen interest in an AV career through studies and extracurricular activities
- Special consideration will be made for candidates showing involvement in diversity and inclusion programs and/or leadership positions
- Previous winners are ineligible
Applications are judged by a panel composed of industry leaders and members of AVIXA's Diversity Council. Winners are considered holistically and selected based on:
- Presentation of application
- School performance and standing in community
- Demonstrated leadership
- AV-related experience
- Any work experience
- Written essay
- Recommendation letters
Carter Kucier - Lebanon Valley College
The 2021 recipient Carter Kucier is studying audio/music production at Lebanon Valley College and has his sights set on a career in live audio. Kucier is the president of the college’s LGBTQ+ organization Freedom Rings. In this leadership role, he has begun a dialogue with the college president, resulting in the pride flag flying on campus permanently and an LGBTQ+ housing option. In addition, the organization has worked with clubs like the Black Student Union to promote intersectionality and to hold the college accountable for wrongs against diverse members of the student body.
Previous Recipients:
- 2020 - Iris Douka, New York City City College of Technology, Adam Waldmiller - Rochester Institute of Technology, Esmeralda Monroig, Lincoln Technical Institute
- 2019 - Rachel Brown, University of Minnesota & Ryan DeMello, Oregon State University
- 2018 - Marc Carbon, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt; Matthew Hancock, CTS-D, College of Charleston & Rishabh Waghela, Vidyalankar Institute of Technology (Undergraduate), Northeastern University (Masters)
- 2017 - Jacob Faber, University of British Columbia
- 2016 - Lauren Koske, University of Central Missouri & Sarabeth Mullins, Biola University
- 2015 - Dean Philip, University of South Carolina
- 2014 - Rebecca Nattress, University of Wisconsin-Stout
- 2013 - Mitchell Walker, Georgia Institute of Technology & Dustin Stout, The University of Central Oklahoma
- 2012 - Jeong Sik Yoo, CTS-D, Yale - School of Drama, Technical Design and Production
- 2011 - Kevin Rhodus, CTS-D, Ohio State University
- 2010 - Dawne Meade, CTS, University of Maryland - University College
Michael Vergauwen's Legacy
The memorial fund honors Michael Vergauwen's career achievements in the AV communications industry and his participation in and leadership of the association. Vergauwen's dedication to the industry and to its members serves as a role model for all AVIXA members.
Michael Vergauwen was the COO of AVI Systems and a long-time board member of AVIXA.
Michael took pride in awarding $200,000 in scholarships to deserving recipients. He strongly believed that growth in the AV industry comes from providing opportunities and support to those wanting to enter the industry and those seeking to develop their careers.
His talent — and his kindness — strengthened the AV community. After his death in 2009, AVIXA created this scholarship to carry on his beliefs of strengthening and growing the AV industry through education.
"Michael Vergauwen was a valued member of the Board of Directors and was a tireless advocate for the audiovisual industry. He offered wise counsel and was a good friend to so many of us in the association's family. He will be missed greatly."
Jay Rogina, CTS
CEO Spinitar
Do you have a Michael Verguawen memory you would like to share? Email [email protected].