About You & Your Work
To start, tell us who you are and what you do. How did your path lead into higher-ed AV?
I am Sameh Youssef, and I currently serve as the Director of Events Technical Services at The American University in Cairo (AUC). My path into the audiovisual world began with a strong technical foundation, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Power and Machines Engineering from Ain Shams University. For over a decade, I built my expertise in the enterprise integration sector, working with top system integrators in Egypt as a senior technical presales and design engineer, specializing in complex electro-acoustic and large-scale project layouts.
In July 2018, I saw an opportunity to bring this high-level systems design expertise into higher education, taking the helm at AUC to elevate institutional event technology, hybrid learning spaces, and campus-wide virtual infrastructure.
What does a typical day in your role look like—and what does a “busy day” look like when everything hits at once?
A typical day involves orchestrating operations across two distinct campuses, managing a diverse inventory of lecture halls, advanced hybrid meeting rooms, large auditoriums, and outdoor venues. I lead a dedicated team of 13 technical personnel covering live events, videoconferencing platforms, and digital signage, while also providing internal AV consultations for various university departments.
On a “busy day,” everything lands simultaneously: managing multiple high-profile virtual or hybrid international events, executing rapid troubleshooting across campuses via our ticketing systems, and keeping multi-venue upgrades moving forward without a hitch.
Outside of work, how do you unwind and recharge?
Outside of the fast-paced environment of campus events, I find balance by stepping away from screens to spend quality time with my family, listening to music, hanging out with friends, and exploring regional culture. Because my day-to-day involves a high volume of complex technical coordination, unwinding for me means slowing down, listening to music without analyzing the room acoustics for a change, and recharging for the next big event.
The Road to Prism
When were you selected as a Prism Scholarship recipient?
I was incredibly honored to be selected as a HETMA Prism Scholarship recipient in 2023 to attend InfoComm 2024 and take the CTS exam.
What motivated you to apply—was there someone who encouraged you, or was it an internal push?
I have always had a mix of an internal push for continuous professional development and a desire to connect with the global higher education technology community. Having worked for years on major integration projects locally, I wanted to benchmark my skills against international standards and formalize my experience within an alliance that truly understands the unique challenges of academic AV management.
What was happening in your career or life that made Prism feel like the right next step?
Having led the technical transformation at AUC since 2018 and actively delivered independent AV consultancy packages across the region, I reached a point where I wanted to solidify my global credentials. The Prism Scholarship felt like the perfect bridge to marry my extensive hands-on experience with world-class standards like the AVIXA CTS.
When I first saw the Prism Scholarship post on LinkedIn, I was not sure if it was real, but I filled out the form anyway. I was not expecting to receive the scholarship, as I thought it would mainly target people in the USA, and it didn’t occur to me that I could be selected while being from Egypt, which is miles away from the U.S
How did you feel when you got the news, and who did you share it with first? Why?
Getting the news that I was accepted for the scholarship was incredibly thrilling and validating. It put a burden on my shoulders, as I felt that I was not only representing myself, but also all my colleagues working in the audiovisual industry in Egypt.
I shared the news first with my close family and my core team at AUC, as they know firsthand the dedication it takes to balance demanding institutional leadership with a continuous urge to learn and develop.
Inside the Scholarship Experience
What did you enjoy most about the Prism experience?
Beyond the immense value of attending InfoComm, what I enjoyed most was the vibrant community and the mentorship framework. Being part of a cohort of passionate professionals who share the same drive for higher ed technological excellence was inspiring.
What proved most challenging, and how did you work through it?
The biggest challenge was time management—balancing an intensive study regimen with my responsibilities directing campus operations at AUC and executing regional freelance engineering designs. I worked through it by using structured agile and project management methodologies to keep my study milestones organized and on track.
Any study or memorization approaches you found especially effective and would recommend to others?
I highly recommend mapping theoretical CTS concepts directly onto your daily practical tasks. For instance, connecting formulas to the software layouts I use regularly—like EASE simulation, Crestron programming, or Shure configurations—made the knowledge intuitive rather than just memorized.
Certification Status & Outcomes
Where are you right now in your CTS journey? If you’ve earned your CTS, what impact has it had on your confidence, opportunities, or day-to-day work?
I have successfully earned my AVIXA CTS certification. Achieving this designation has significantly boosted my professional confidence, providing international validation for the years of advanced engineering and technical direction I have done. Day to day, it reinforces my consulting authority when collaborating with electromechanical consultants and managing multi-campus venue upgrades.
Growth, Community & Professional Trajectory
Looking back, which accomplishments or moments in your career are you most proud of?
I am immensely proud of my extensive work delivering electro-acoustic designs and systems studies for iconic, large-scale cultural and historical landmark projects—such as the Grand Egyptian Museum, Al Azhar Mosque, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Main Theatre.
Any current project you’re excited about?
Currently, I am excited about continuing the digital transformation and venue system upgrades at AUC to keep our spaces at the cutting edge of global higher ed standards.
How have communities like HETMA, AVIXA, or other higher-ed groups influenced your growth or opened doors?
These communities have completely eliminated regional silos for me. Being a HETMA member and mentee has connected me to a massive global wealth of knowledge, opening doors to peer perspectives, mentorship, and industry-leading resources that accelerate professional growth.
What impact has the Prism Scholarship—and the Prism community—had on you personally and professionally? Anything that surprised you?
Professionally, it accelerated my career path by pairing my practical experience with globally recognized credentials. Personally, I was surprised by the warmth, inclusivity, and collaborative spirit of the Prism community. It truly feels like a supportive professional family.
Where do you see your career heading over the next few years?
Over the next few years, I aim to build my own consultancy where I can apply my technical and management skills and leverage them to work globally within the audiovisual and acoustics consulting field, using my executive skills on an even larger stage.
Advice & Acknowledgments
What advice would you offer to someone considering applying for Prism—or preparing for the CTS exam?
My advice is to apply without hesitation. The Prism Scholarship is a game changer. When preparing for the CTS exam, do not just memorize definitions, try to see how those standards apply to your everyday AV workflows and lean heavily on the incredible network of mentors around you.
Who would you like to thank or acknowledge as you reflect on your Prism journey?
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the entire HETMA leadership team, including Tim, Annie, and the rest of the team, the AVIXA organization, and my dedicated mentor, Britt Yenser. Their trust, guidance, and commitment to diversifying and elevating the higher education technology landscape made this incredible milestone possible.
Connect with Sameh LinkedIn.
