WAVIT (Women in AV/IT) has established the Mary Cook Empowerment Award: Designing the Future. This annual scholarship honours the late Mary Cook, a trailblazer who was instrumental in supporting women in AV/IT and a passionate advocate for advancing inclusion and mentorship within the industry.
Mary Cook’s AV legacy began in 1991, later she would go on to co-found local AVIXA Women’s Council groups in Atlanta and Michigan. Her commitment to empowering women and championing their professional growth earned her a place in the SCN Hall of Fame at InfoComm in 2017. WAVIT’s scholarship initiative is a tribute to her enduring impact and dedication to helping women thrive in field.
To support the scholarship programme, AVIXA has created a full InfoComm experience, which will bring recipients to the US trade show to explore pro AV solutions, education, and networking opportunities.
Sarah Joyce, chief global officer, AVIXA, said: “Mary was devoted to making tangible and lasting contributions to the AV industry and supporting women to develop their careers. She brought her technical expertise to her service on AVIXA’s Standards Steering Committee and was a very early driver of the AVIXA Women’s Council, where she was a strong supporter and advocate for women to pursue their CTS certifications. We’re honoured to collaborate with WAVIT and NV5 to create this scholarship in Mary’s name to help women continue to be supported and excel in our industry.”
As a founding sponsor, engineering consultant NV5 plays a vital role in establishing this scholarship. Its contribution will directly support the recipient’s development and provide mentorship opportunities.
Kelly Stumpf, PMP and principal consultant of NV5, said: “Mary Cook’s contributions to the AV/IT industry continue to inspire us. By supporting this scholarship, NV5 is honored to uphold Mary’s legacy and foster the next generation of women leaders in AV/IT. We believe this programme will help propel careers and promote the spirit that Mary championed.”
The Mary Cook Empowerment Award: Designing the Future scholarship will provide invaluable opportunities for women in their early career stages, focusing on AV system design and audio/visual environments. Key benefits include:
- Full InfoComm experience: Recipients will receive an InfoComm trade show package, including full-show passes, education pass, travel, and lodging.
- Membership opportunities: Scholarship recipients will gain WAVIT membership, AVIXA membership, and access to WAVIT’s Mentorship Programme.
- Mentorship: Recipients will participate in WAVIT’s mentorship programme, with potential mentorship from NV5, fostering growth and industry connections.
Scholarship selection process: WAVIT has formed a dedicated scholarship committee to establish criteria, review applications, and recommend finalists. Candidates will:
- Be women in their early career stages (2 years or less of experience).
- Show a commitment to AV system design and AEC fields.
- Be US or Canada-based.
- Aspire to create innovative audio/visual environments.
Applications are open now, and close April 18th, 2025. The recipient will be announced on May 2, 2025, with the scholarship culminating in a memorable experience at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando, FL (June 7-13).
Promoting Mary Cook’s Legacy To celebrate Mary Cook’s contributions, WAVIT will:
- Launch promotional campaigns across social media and other industry platforms.
- Distribute memorial wristbands at InfoComm in Orlando, FL.
- Collaborate with industry associations to honor Mary’s legacy during their events.
Brandy Alvarado-Miranda, founder of WAVIT, said: ““Mary Cook exemplified what it means to uplift and inspire others. Through this scholarship, we aim to continue her mission of empowering women and advancing the AV/IT industry.”
For more information or to submit your application form, please visit WAVIT’s website here.
