Tell us who you are, what you do, and where you work. How did your path lead into higher education AV?
My name is Gaulo Amezcua-Luna. Since June 2022, I have served as the Manager of Classroom Technology, part of the Office of Information Technology at Valparaiso University.
What does a typical day in your role look like?
When I’m not doing classroom upgrades, I check my email and take care of pending administrative work from 8 to 10 a.m. After that, I work on planning, designing, engineering and/or installing projects. I have 224 classrooms and meeting spaces that I have to take care of. I am constantly busy. On top of that, we can add all the AV needs for the recital hall, the University Theater, the arena, and the baseball and softball fields. I also work on getting all the audio infrastructure ready for ESPN broadcasts for the upcoming football, volleyball, and basketball seasons, for which I perform all the audio engineering and operations.
Outside of work, what are some of the things you enjoy doing?
I enjoy working on my creative projects, specifically music production, including mixing and mastering. I’m currently working on an album with my most recent music project, Twy Ly3t.
I also enjoy playing sports like tennis and pickleball, hiking, doing outdoor activities, and training in MMA.
How did you first learn about the Prism Scholarship?
Through HETMA at InfoComm.
What motivated you to apply?
The opportunity to further my education and achieve my CTS certification, as well as the chance to proudly represent HETMA.
Was there a specific person, experience, or goal that encouraged you to take this step?
My friend and predecessor, Brett Vester, was the one who suggested that I apply for the Prism Scholarship. It was great to learn that I had become a recipient.
What made this feel like the right time in your career?
I have been working in information technology and audiovisual services for a very long time, basically 25 years and counting.
What are your current professional goals?
To further my education and experience in both information technology and audiovisual systems, and to start a small company offering those same services with a greater focus on security and AV for events.
What skills or knowledge are you hoping to gain through the Prism experience?
Master the global standards for the design, integration, and implementation of IT and AV.
What excites you most about this opportunity?
The possibility of expanding my professional network and improving my skills and services with a solid foundation of knowledge.
Why do programs like Prism matter to the AV industry?
It is of paramount importance for future professionals in our industry to have access to these types of opportunities, which are few and far between. This would help ensure that new generations of technology specialists continue to meet the ever-growing demand for technology professionals in our field.
Have there been moments in your career when representation, mentorship, or community made a difference for you?
Absolutely! In both good ways and bad ways. In good ways, when there is trust in competency, not favoritism, and in bad ways, when there are no opportunities available to minorities and low-income people.
What does being selected as a Prism Scholar mean to you personally?
It means honor, pride, and recognition of my work and career as an IT and AV professional.
What part of the program are you most looking forward to?
The practical applications.
If you could fast-forward to the end of the experience, what would you hope to have accomplished?
To gain all the knowledge and technical skills to provide, with scientific certainty, the solutions required by those who need expert and skillful technicians.
What message would you share with others who may be considering applying in the future?
Prepare, prepare, prepare! Don’t leave things to chance or look for shortcuts. There are no shortcuts! Thinking about taking a shortcut is, in reality, a way of tricking your mind into believing that you would save time, labor, or money, when in reality a “shortcut” is the surest way to get on the difficult, long, and wrong path!
