AVIXA Foundation Announces 2026 Michael Vergauwen Scholarship Recipients

The AVIXA Foundation has announce the ten recipients for the 2026 Michael Vergauwen Scholarship. Selected from a record-number of applications, these recipients demonstrate academic achievements, unique perspectives, and commitment to careers in AV and integrated experiences.

"This year's winners have amazing personal stories, hailing from every part of North America. Each paved a unique path for themselves towards an AV career through some combination of hard work, studies, and sheer ambition," says Joseph Valerio, director for the AVIXA Foundation. "The AVIXA Foundation exists to make the talented workforce more visible to our industry. This scholarship is a tangible way we help encourage and empower future pros to achieve their potential in AV."

Awarded as one-time contribution towards tuition, each $2,500 scholarship supports studies applicable to the pro AV industry. These ten recipients represent a diverse group of students pursuing careers across the AV, technology, and creative industries.

The 2026 Michael Vergauwen Scholarship Recipients:

Logan Anthony - Through his work with Pace University's Educational Media Department, Anthony progressed from a student technician to a full-time AV technician supervisor. Currently overseeing AV operations across campus while completing an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, he is focused on expanding his knowledge of networked AV systems and the infrastructure that supports them.

Ben Howard - Howard's journey began with lighting at age 12, and has since expanded into theatre, campus productions, and professional projects. Currently leading a team that provides technical support for events at Western Carolina University, he plans to continue his education and develop the skills needed to lead large-scale productions with confidence.

Taha Jamshidi - Jamshidi's fascination with AV has led him to explore sound, video projection, and immersive technologies at the University of Toronto. While attending the University of California Los Angeles, he has collaborated with AV engineers on lecture hall upgrades and other technical projects, developing a passion for educational technology. He aims to become a leader in designing state-of-the-art educational ecosystems that eliminate barriers to learning.

Jordan McPhee - McPhee originally planned to pursue a career in the film industry before discovering AV through a position at the University of Colorado Boulder's Memorial Center. Now enrolled at the university, he combines their studies in film with a passion for live events and hopes to continue growing within the industry while creating memorable large live events for audiences.

Ana Olmeda - Olmeda first started studying mechanical engineering, she discovered that technology and design can have meaningful impact on people's lives. Through her work with Learning Environments at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), she has supported AV installations, technology integration, fabrication, and classroom spaces. She plans to pursue a master's degree in mechanical engineering at UTEP and help design more accessible technology solutions.

Ethan Poon - Poon realized the power of interactive media while developing a digital interface for a local business owner. This experience inspired him to start a digital media nonprofit that has mobilized volunteers across 18 countries to create over 650 websites for small businesses and nonprofits. As a Rutgers University-New Brunswick student, he was selected for an internship at Stanford University AI & Medical Imaging Center. His goal is to eventually launch a creative technology startup that expands access to interactive media production.

Samantha Rosinski - After entering Chapman University's Dodge College, Rosinski realized she had a desire to help others navigate technology and creative tools. As a post-production lab assistant at Chapman, and through her work producing promotional videos for nonprofit organizations, she helps others gain confidence with technology while supporting meaningful causes. She hopes to build a career in film and television as a creator, editor, or post-production leader, where she can create opportunities for others to succeed.

Tyler Stanga - As a third-year electrical engineering student, Stanga began his AV career through a co-op with sparkAV despite having no prior experience in the AV industry. Eager to understand more, he volunteered for field installations and job site coordination with electricians. His engineering background has helped him understand how AV systems operate and the infrastructure that supports them. His goal is to become an AV systems engineer specializing in control system integration and power infrastructure for large-scale AV installations.

Doan Tran - Tran's interest in technology comes from seeing how access to information can transform opportunities in areas such as healthcare, education, and government services. As an electrical engineering and computer science student, she hopes to develop innovative technologies that address real-world challenges, through research, industry, or public-interest initiatives.

Melody Vilitchai - After taking an intro to acting class and then working as a follow spot operator in a theater production, Vilitchai found a passion for lighting design. Since then, she has shadowed designers in local and regional theaters while pursuing mentorship opportunities. For Vilitchai, lighting is her unapologetic voice, a way to express herself while helping others be seen. She plans to continue developing both artistic and technical skills through professional opportunities in theater.