The 2026 Higher Education AV Awards took place on June 15, and it stood out as a milestone year. With 229 submissions, up 30 percent from previous years, this was a great year in higher ed AV. A panel of judges reviewed each entry to identify this year’s top work, and even reaching the finalist pool meant standing out in a crowded field. In many categories, multiple submissions were strong enough to take the top spot. The winners highlighted here did more than meet expectations. They raised the bar.
Submissions came from peers across higher education, including institutional teams, manufacturers, and integrators. Product and Project entries were evaluated and awarded at the Silver, Gold, or Best-in-Class level. This year, no Silver awards were given, reflecting the overall strength of the field. Each nomination demonstrated meaningful impact and high-quality execution. Please join us in recognizing this year’s recipients.
AV Professional of the Year – Ryan Gray with Yavapai Community College
Ryan Gray has made a clear impact on higher ed AV over the past year. Through his leadership with Higher Ed AV (HEAV) Media, he has helped shape it into a more consistent, inclusive, and widely trusted platform. He has also invested significant time mentoring others, helping contributors grow into roles as editors, producers, and content creators. His involvement with InfoComm, HETMA tours, and broader event coverage has strengthened how the community connects with the industry. At the center of his work is a focus on sharing knowledge and elevating others, which continues to expand both participation and visibility across higher ed AV.
Rising Star of the Year – Kyle Bell with St. Petersburg College
Kyle Bell’s Classroom in a Box reflects a rethinking of how higher education can manage AV infrastructure. The system shifts classrooms from reactive support to a proactive model by continuously monitoring system health and reporting issues automatically. In pilot deployments across 20 rooms, it identified problems before instructors noticed them, reducing failures and support tickets. The design keeps the user experience simple while supporting a more advanced monitoring approach behind the scenes. The result is a scalable model that improves reliability, builds trust, and resets expectations for classroom technology.
AV Support Person of the Year – Anthony Zaldana with St. Petersburg College
Anthony Zaldana demonstrated strong leadership and technical skill in guiding a team of student workers through the build of 20 Classroom-in-a-Box systems in about three days. The work required precise wiring, system integration, and detailed verification across multiple steps. He not only completed the build but led the effort, maintaining quality while mentoring less-experienced team members throughout the process. His ability to balance speed, accuracy, and coordination resulted in fully commissioned systems at scale within a tight timeline. He continues to be a reliable contributor to both AV support and broader community work.
AV Team of the Year – St. Petersburg College TSS Support Team
The St. Petersburg College TSS Support Team delivered one of the strongest execution stories of the year. Over 12 months, they deployed more than 60 Classroom in a Box systems while also completing over 800 classroom computer refreshes across multiple campuses. Their approach introduced self-monitoring, remotely managed AV environments that helped shift classrooms from reactive to proactive support. They followed complex build and commissioning processes without sacrificing consistency or quality. The result was a measurable improvement in reliability and overall system performance across campus.
Higher Ed Ally of the Year – Aaron Peterson with Mechdyne
Aaron Peterson stood out as a trusted partner for higher ed teams, providing practical, experience-based input across a range of environments. His background includes live events, system design, and complex visualization systems, giving him a broad and applicable skill set. He regularly supports institutions by reviewing designs, troubleshooting challenges, and helping teams get more out of their existing systems. His approach balances advanced capabilities with real-world usability. That combination makes him a consistent and valuable resource.
Vendor Account Rep of the Year – Jourdan Cook with AVI-SPL
Jourdan Cook has built a strong reputation as a trusted advisor in higher education AV. She aligns complex technology solutions with institutional goals, ensuring projects meet both technical and operational needs. Her ability to break down system design into clear, actionable plans helps stakeholders make informed decisions. She consistently builds strong relationships through transparency, responsiveness, and attention to detail. Her work has led to successful deployments, high customer satisfaction, and long-term value for the institutions she supports.
Project of the Year – UCLA Classroom Modernization Pilot, Chi Hang Lo Diversified, Crestron, and PlaceOS
UCLA’s Classroom Modernization Pilot stands out for redefining classroom AV as a connected campus platform rather than a collection of individual rooms. Built on a cloud-first approach, it integrates AV control, lecture capture, scheduling, signage, accessibility, analytics, AI workflows, security, and building systems into a unified, scalable model. The project shifts away from isolated hardware toward a connected ecosystem where each space and system supports a larger campus strategy. It has delivered measurable gains in user satisfaction, reliability, and efficiency, while also reducing power consumption through network-based systems. More than an upgrade, it offers a working model for how institutions can build cloud-managed infrastructure at scale.
Product of the Year – Igloo Immersive Classroom
The Igloo Immersive Classroom offers a shared immersive learning environment that brings experiential education into everyday teaching without requiring headsets. It enables full classes to participate together in simulations, virtual field trips, and collaborative environments, supporting active learning and peer engagement. By turning classroom walls into interactive surfaces, it allows for more visual and discussion-based instruction across many disciplines. Some institutions have replaced multiple single-purpose rooms with a single flexible space, improving utilization while supporting cross-department use. The result is a scalable and accessible approach to immersive learning that improves engagement and fits into existing teaching workflows.
Integrator of the Year – AVI-SPL
AVI-SPL has demonstrated consistent success in delivering scalable and innovative AV solutions for higher education. The company combines system design, integration, and managed services to support projects across the full lifecycle. Its standardized processes and global reach allow for efficient deployment across complex, multi-campus environments. With a focus on hybrid learning, user experience, and long-term performance, AVI-SPL continues to support institutions in modernizing their environments and improving operational efficiency.
Manufacturer of the Year – Igloo Vision
Igloo Vision is helping move immersive learning from experimental to practical in higher education. Its platform supports a wide range of content, making it easier for institutions to integrate immersive experiences into existing teaching workflows. The focus on stability, support, and repeatability helps drive adoption. As a result, institutions are able to use these systems across multiple departments soon after installation. By lowering barriers while maintaining flexibility, Igloo is helping make immersive AV part of everyday use.
Additional Winners
Aurora Multimedia
Best Classroom Installation Upgrade: St. Petersburg College Classroom Upgrades (Gold)
AVI-SPL
Best Experiential Project: Bow Valley College School of Health and Wellness (Best-in-Class)
Best AV-over-IP Project: Wake Forest University Atrium Healthcare Simulation Center at the Pearl (Best-in-Class)
Best Sustainability Project: Harvard University David Rubenstein Treehouse Conference Center (Best-in-Class)
Best Classroom Installation Upgrade: Old Dominion Classroom of the Future (Gold)
Best Classroom Installation Upgrade: Mohawk College Classroom Upgrade (Gold)
Best Interdepartmental Collaboration: Riverside City College School of Business, Law, and Computer Information Systems (Gold)
Best Sustainability Project: Mohawk College Installation (Gold)
BenQ
Best Display Technology: RP05 Interactive Display (Gold)
Berkshire Hathaway Higher Education Division
Integrator of the Year: Berkshire Hathaway Higher Education Division (Gold)
Biamp
Best Audio Technology: Parlé Voice Lift (Gold)
BlackMagic Design
Best Experiential Project: Clearwater Crossroads Gallery (Best-in-Class)
Best Video Project: Clearwater Crossroads Gallery (Best-in-Class)
Bow Valley College
Best Experiential Project: School of Health & Wellness featuring AVI-SPL (Best-in-Class)
Catchbox
Best Microphone Product: Catchbox Plus Wireless Microphone System (Best-in-Class)
Crestron
Best Classroom Installation Upgrade: Stanford School of Medicine Classroom Upgrade (Gold)
Best Cloud Project: UCLA Classroom Modernization Pilot (Best-in-Class)
CTI
Best Classroom Installation New Build: University of Iowa Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science Technology Build-Out (Best-in-Class)
Diversified
Best Full Campus Installation: Edith Cowan University City Campus (Gold)
Best Cloud Project: UCLA Classroom Modernization Pilot (Best-in-Class)
Draper
Best Projection Technology: StageScreen Portable Folding Screen (Best-in-Class)
Best Video Project: Purdue University Classroom Installation (Best-in-Class)
Edith Cowan University
Best Full Campus Installation: City Campus featuring Diversified (Gold)
Epiphan
Best Camera Technology: Epiphan EC20 PTZ Camera (Gold)
Best Capture or Streaming Device: Epiphan Pearl Nexus (Gold)
Best AV-over-IP Project: John A Logan College Nursing Education Facility (Gold)
Best AV-over-IP Project: University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry Methods Labs (Gold)
Best Full-Campus Installation: Oxford University Campus Upgrade (Gold)
Best Video Project: University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry Methods Labs (Gold)
Epson
Best Experiential Project: Clearwater Crossroads Gallery (Best-in-Class)
Best Video Project: Clearwater Crossroads Gallery (Best-in-Class)
Goshen College
Best More with Less Project: Schertz Technology Center Lab (Best-in-Class)
Best Classroom Installation New Build: Schertz Technology Center Lab (Gold)
Harvard University
Best Sustainability Project: David Rubenstein Treehouse Conference Center Featuring AVI-SPL (Best-in-Class)
Huddly
Best Camera Technology: Huddly Crew (Best-in-Class)
Igloo
Best Learning Solution: Igloo Vision Immersive Classroom (Best-in-Class)
Best Classroom Installation New Build: Yavapai Installation (Best-in-Class)
Best Interdepartmental Collaboration: Yavapai Installation (Best-in-Class)
Best Collaboration Space Project: West Texas A&M Installation (Best-in-Class)
Best AV Software Solution: Igloo Core Engine (Gold)
Best Collaboration Product or Solution: Igloo Vision Immersive Classroom (Gold)
Best Control System: Igloo Core Engine (Gold)
Best Use of Emerging Technology: Yavapai Installation (Gold)
John A Logan College
Best AV-over-IP Project: Nursing Education Facility Featuring Epiphan (Gold)
Best Classroom Installation New Build: Nursing Education Facility (Gold)
Best Interdepartmental Collaboration: Nursing Education Facility (Gold)
Jabra
Best Collaboration Product or Solution: PanaCast U30 (Gold)
Kramer
Best Video Technology:Series 3 PR PRO (Gold)
Legrand
Best Cloud Platform: AV RackLink Cloud (Best-in-Class)
Best AV Accessory: AV Chief Velocity Outdoor Pedestal System (Gold)
Best Display Technology: AV Da-Lite Myriad Reveal Projection Screen (Gold)
LG
Best Display Technology: LDAA012 Miraclass (Best-in-Class)
Listen Technologies
Best Use of Emerging Technology: University of Oxford Auri™ for Accessible Audio (Best-in-Class)
Logitech
Best Collaboration Product or Solution: Logitech Rally Board 65 (Gold)
Lumens
Best Camera Technology: CamConnect200 (Best-in-Class)
Best Camera Technology: VC-TR41N (Gold)
Mohawk College
Best Classroom Installation Upgrade: Classroom Upgrade Featuring AVI-SPL and Q-SYS (Gold)
Best AV-over-IP Project: Classroom Standardization Featuring AVI-SPL and Q-SYS (Gold)
Best Sustainability Project: Installation featuring AVI-SPL and Q-SYS (Gold)
Monash University
Best Use of Emerging Technology: Monash University Reimagines Active Learning with Symetrix Cognio (Gold)
NETGEAR
Best AV Management Product: Engage Controller 2.4 (Gold)
Best AV-over-IP Technology: M4350 series (Gold)
Newline
Best Classroom Installation New Build: St. Petersburg College Digital Media Lab (Gold)
Best Support Department Project: St. Petersburg College IT Security Operations Center (Gold)
Northwestern University
Best Live Production Event: Celebrasia Event (Best-in-Class)
Best Classroom Installation New Build: Cohen Lawn Project (Gold)
Best Large Venue or Stadium Project: Cohen Lawn Project (Gold)
Old Dominion
Best Classroom Installation Upgrade: Classroom of the Future Featuring AVI-SPL (Gold)
Panasonic MEVIX
Best Large Venue or Stadium Project: University of St. Thomas D1 Arena for the Future (Gold)
PlaceOS
Best Cloud Project: UCLA Classroom Modernization Pilot (Best-in-Class)
PlexusAV
Best AV-over-IP-Technology: P-AVN-6-S (Gold)
Purdue University
Best Video Project: Classroom Installation Featuring Draper (Best-in-Class)
Riverside City College
Best Interdepartmental Collaboration: School of Business, Law, and Computer Information Systems Featuring AVI-SPL (Gold)
PTZOptics
Best Classroom Installation Upgrade: Classroom Upgrade featuring PTZOptics (Gold)
Q-SYS
Best Classroom Installation Upgrade: Mohawk College Classroom Upgrade (Gold)
Best AV-over-IP Project: Mohawk College Classroom Standardization (Gold)
Best Sustainability Project: Mohawk College Installation (Gold)
Best AV-over-IP Project: University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry Methods Labs (Gold)
Best Use of Emerging Technology: Pikeville University Kentucky College of Optometry Methods Labs (Gold)
ScreenBeam
Best Wireless Presentation Solution: ScreenBeam FLEX (Gold)
Best Support Department Project: St. Petersburg College IT Security Operations Center (Gold)
Sennheiser
Best Microphone Product: TeamConnect Ceiling Medium (Best-in-Class)
Sharp
Best Projection Technology: Sharp’s P Series (Gold)
Shure
Best Microphone Product: SLXD+ Wireless Microphone System (Best-in-Class)
Best Collaboration Product or Solution: Intellimix Foundation System for Zoom (Best-in-Class)
St. Petersburg College
Best Experiential Project: Clearwater Crossroads Gallery Featuring Epson and BlackMagic (Best-in-Class)
Best Video Project: Clearwater Crossroads Gallery Featuring Epson and BlackMagic (Best-in-Class)
Best Learning Solution: Classroom in a Box (Best-in-Class)
Best Furniture or Facilities Product: 6RU AV RACK (Gold)
Best Digital Signage Project: Room Scheduling Displays (Gold)
Best Support Department Project: IT Security Operations Center Featuring Newline and ScreenBeam (Gold)
Best AV-over-IP Project: Collegewide Upgrade (Gold)
Best Classroom Installation New Build: Digital Media Lab Featuring Newline (Gold)
Best Classroom Installation Upgrade: Classroom Upgrades Featuring Aurora Multimedia (Gold)
Best Use of Emerging Technology: AV Classroom in a Box (Gold)
Stanford University
Best Classroom Installation Upgrade: School of Medicine Classroom Upgrade, Featuring Crestron (Gold)
Symetrix
Best Control System: Cognio Platform (Best-in-Class)
Best Use of Emerging Technology: Monash University Reimagines Active Learning (Gold)
Talem3
Best AV Software Solution: Learning Space Manager (Gold)
UCLA
Best Cloud Project: Classroom Modernization Pilot featuring Diversified, Crestron, and PlaceOS (Best-in-Class)
Best Sustainability Project: Sustainability Action Research (Best-in-Class)
University at Buffalo
Best Classroom Installation Upgrade: Lecture Capture Featuring Epiphan Video (Gold)
University of Aberdeen
Best Cloud Project: Cloud Control and Monitoring (Best-in-Class)
University of Iowa
Best Classroom Installation New Build: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science Technology Build-Out Featuring CTI (Best-in-Class)
University of Oxford
Best Use of Emerging Technology: University of Oxford, Auri™ for Accessible Audio, Featuring Listen Technologies (Best-in-Class)
Best Full-Campus Installation: Campus Upgrade Featuring Epiphan (Gold)
University of Pikeville
Best AV-over-IP Project: Kentucky College of Optometry Methods Labs Featuring Q-SYS and Epiphan (Gold)
Best Use of Emerging Technology – Kentucky College of Optometry Methods Labs Featuring Q-SYS (Gold)
Best Video Project: Kentucky College of Optometry Methods Labs Featuring Epiphan Video (Gold)
University of St. Thomas
Best Large Venue or Stadium Project: D1 Arena for the Future Featuring Panasonic MEVIX (Gold)
Vanderbilt University
Best Classroom Installation Upgrade: Classroom Upgrade featuring AVI-SPL and PTZOptics (Gold)
Wake Forest
Best AV-over-IP Project: Atrium Healthcare Simulation Center at the Pearl featuring AVI-SPL (Best-in-Class)
West Texas A&M University
Best Collaboration Space Project: West Texas A&M Installation Featuring Igloo Vision (Best-in-Class)
XTEN-AV
Best Design Software Solution: XTEN-AV Platform (Gold)
Yavapai Community College
Best Classroom Installation New Build: Center for Learning Innovation Featuring Igloo Vision (Best-in-Class)
Best Interdepartmental Collaboration: Installation featuring Igloo Vision (Best-in-Class)
Best Multi Campus Project: Center for Learning and Innovation (Gold)
Best Use of Emerging Technology: Installation featuring Igloo Vision (Gold)
Conclusion
The 2026 Higher Education AV Awards highlight a lot of great work from this past year, but they only scratch the surface of what’s actually happening out there. There’s a lot more being done across campuses and with our industry partners that doesn’t always get recognized here, and this brief snapshot can’t fully do justice to every nomination or the people behind them. If something here stands out, reach out, ask questions, and connect. None of us need to reinvent the wheel. We’re all working toward the same goal, and a rising tide lifts all boats.
