Tell us who you are, what you do, and where you work. How did your path lead into higher education AV?
I am an audiovisual specialist for Aims Community College and part of the team that supports AV for events and maintains the AV systems in our event building, including the auditorium used for commencement and other large events. At the time of writing, I am a team of one, though I hope to have a counterpart by the time this is published. We assist with both internal and community-based events. My background is in live events, from directing weekly church services to stage managing and video directing for a theater run by a local municipality.
What does a typical day in your role look like?
Depending on the events scheduled that day, I start in the Welcome Center, turning on the systems in the rooms to get events started and connected. If there is an event, I need to monitor it throughout the scheduled time. If no events are happening that day, I get to start with emails and schedule updates. I try my best to know what events are happening over the next two weeks across all four physical campuses. Throughout the week, I attend meetings that range from team meetings, where we build a game plan for setups, teardowns, and event coverage, to discussions about new builds or system upgrades. Most days pass with minimal interruptions, but every so often, something doesn’t want to play nicely. Thankfully, those issues are becoming less frequent. I am working toward putting better systems and programming in place to reduce them even more in the future.
Outside of work, what are some of the things you enjoy doing?
Reading has become my escape from day-to-day life, just as it was when I was growing up. Two of my go-to genres are cozy high fantasy and alternate reality. I also enjoy cooking when the temperature outside isn’t equivalent to the surface of the sun.
I have also been going to more concerts—and not working them! I enjoy finding new music and artists I have not experienced before. My taste in music is pretty extensive; just don’t ask me for song titles or artists’ names because I have no idea and will have to look them up.
How did you first learn about the Prism Scholarship?
I learned about the Prism Scholarship while attending one of HETMA’s monthly member meetings in December 2023, but I was just getting started in higher education and becoming acquainted with HETMA, so I didn’t look into it too deeply.
What motivated you to apply?
When I finally looked more closely, I assumed (yes, I know what that makes you and me) that it was not for me, but as time passed, I became more aware of the limitations I was putting on myself and of what I could achieve.
Was there a specific person, experience, or goal that encouraged you to take this step?
I think it was an accumulation of many different experiences and situations that finally came crashing down around me. Yes, I could follow conversations and talk about products and systems, but I realized I did not truly understand the information. My understanding was very surface level, and I was missing so much around me.
What made this feel like the right time in your career?
There is no time like the present to better yourself for whatever opportunities are out there and become the AV professional I know I can be. I am of the mindset that “if you don’t ask or apply, the answer is always no,” and in the past, I automatically told myself I was not qualified. This year, I decided to get out of my own way and make someone else tell me no. I was tired of hearing it from myself. Thankfully, I was awarded the scholarship.
What are your current professional goals?
The longer I sit with my goals, the more I see them leading toward a specialization in design. I want to better understand why certain choices are made by the consultants the school hires or perhaps design the systems myself. I want to leave wherever I work better than it was when I got there. Sometimes that will be through my shining personality and someday through designing spaces and systems that are universally user-friendly.
What skills or knowledge are you hoping to gain through the Prism experience?
First and foremost, I am working toward my CTS, perhaps with a designation, maybe not. Second, I am looking forward to having a mentor and seeing what unique insights and perspectives they have. I am also excited to see how we, as a cohort, can learn from one another and from the opportunities presented to us, both within the year and beyond. I am almost sure this question was looking for specific topics, but at this point in my growth, I am trying to be more sponge than rock.
What excites you most about this opportunity?
Knowing that the world has always been my oyster and that the opportunities Prism highlights and uncovers are limitless. You never know which introduction will open the door to your next venture or what will inspire the next step in the journey of life.
Why do programs like Prism matter to the AV industry?
Programs like Prism take the whole industry and bring it down to a more manageable size through mentorship and a focus on community. The size of the cohorts allows us to see a diverse cross section of the higher ed vertical within the larger AV industry. It is also beneficial to see ourselves reflected in previous cohorts, mentors, and the broader community as it thrives and grows.
Have there been moments in your career when representation, mentorship, or community made a difference for you?
Yes, my career-long mentor, who has been in my life since I was a sophomore in high school, has allowed me to settle into areas of repetition and comfort until he saw that I was capable of taking on more responsibility and direction. He is the reason I discovered my passion for and enjoyment of show calling, directing, and producing services and events.
What does being selected as a Prism Scholar mean to you personally?
Being selected for this scholarship means mentorship, community, and growth. I know I am capable of many achievements on my own, but having others pour into me means filling my cup so that I can turn around and fill the cups of those who come next. As long as we keep building each other up and growing together, the heart of the AV industry keeps beating.
What part of the program are you most looking forward to?
I know one of the biggest reasons I am involved in the AV industry at all is that someone saw something in me. Even when I could not see it in myself, they would offer support and sometimes push me toward opportunities that were available (after years of trust were built… haha). With that being such a big part of my history, I am most looking forward to the mentorship opportunities. The passing of knowledge is always so important. Knowledge is power, and the more we spread that power, the better we will be.
If you could fast-forward to the end of the experience, what would you hope to have accomplished?
I hope I come out of this with a better understanding of certain design and integration choices made by the people who came before me. I am trying very hard not to hinge my entire experience and self-worth on whether I walk away with a CTS certification, but rather on the knowledge I gain from the experience as a whole.
What message would you share with others who may be considering applying in the future?
Do it. The answer is always no if you don’t ask, and usually even a no means “not right now” or that there is a different question to be asked. Advocating for yourself is sometimes easier said than done, but it tends to pay off in the end, often in ways you had not originally considered.
