By Ryan Gray
One of the key questions when considering the health of any community is to ask, are they defined by who they exclude or by who they include?
Those of us who work in Higher Ed AV/IT actually sit at a crossroads in the effort to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our society, culture, and workplaces. We have one foot in the world of higher ed, where many institutions are putting these issues front and center and making intentional strides to change old norms. Our other foot is in the world of tech. One step onto the floor of Infocomm reveals that this is a field still dominated by middle-aged white men, of which I am one. However this month something happened that might be a huge step towards changing that.
I was thrilled to learn of the founding of WAVIT, Women in AV/IT.
This new organization was founded by women leaders from tech manufacturers, AV firms, and media/PR agencies. WAVIT is a “nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women in the AV and IT industries through education, representation, and inclusion.” You can find WAVIT at WomeninAVIT.org.
I did notice that the higher-ed vertical was not represented on the founding board and was wondering what impact we might expect from this new organization in the higher-ed AV community. Lucky for us we have great female leaders to turn to with these questions. Below are some thoughts from:
- Karen Ethier, Director of Support Services, Information Technology and Search Advocacy Coordinator at Roger Williams University. President-Elect of the Educational Technology Collaborative
- Annie Foster, Associate Director of Classroom Technologies at Washington and Lee University. Board of Directors, Secretary of the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance
- Erin Maher-Moran, IT Manager – Classroom Technology at Johns Hopkins University. Vice-Chair of the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance
- Jennifer Weaver, Education Sales Specialist at Starin
When I started out in this industry, I was the only woman I knew doing this kind of work.
Karen
Karen:
Today, I submitted an application to join WAVIT. When I started out in this industry, I was the only woman I knew doing this kind of work. Flash forward 25 years and female-identified (and BIPOC) representation in AV/IT continues to be a major problem in the industry. What has changed is that this issue is now more widely recognized and acknowledged, especially in higher ed AV circles.
Annie:
I am already a member of WAVIT and look forward to taking the news to the rest of my IT department! We are a bit unusual in that our IT is 33% women which have been amazing and I hope that ratios like that continue to grow and are seen across the industry and not be unusual!
Jennifer:
I think this will help empower women to show what they know about AV/IT. The AV industry has always been a very male-dominated field. It gives women a space to shine and show what we know. When I started in the AV industry 15 years ago, I had to work really hard to show I understood what my customer was looking to do. I was not just a pretty face but I understood AV design and could help the customer design a full system.
I wish that there was a Higher Ed rep on the inaugural Board and hopefully, there will be in the future.
Erin
Erin:
I feel like this can only serve to help further the efforts already made by Higher Ed AV/IT. I wish that there was a Higher Ed rep on the inaugural Board and hopefully, there will be in the future. I feel like Higher Ed has already been making strides and representatives from our vertical can help continue the trend in the right direction.
Many of us have worked in organizations or institutions where we were the “unicorn” in our department, so there were no opportunities for mentoring or experience sharing.
Karen
Karen:
The founding of WAVIT is exciting because it has a goal of empowerment and support, and promises an environment for networking. Many of us have worked in organizations or institutions where we were the “unicorn” in our department, so there were no opportunities for mentoring or experience sharing. While the leadership of WAVIT is made up of individuals from corporate AV, I encourage female-identified higher ed AV professionals and their allies to consider connecting with this organization as I think it has the potential to become a strong advocacy group.
Annie:
In preparation for a panel discussion, I was trying to find specific statistics regarding women in tech and then also women in technical roles in IT/AV. I found that finding data about women in tech was relatively easy but to drill down to a technical role in AV - the numbers just weren't there! I think WAVIT will be a great resource with a low to no barrier to entry that will get a great foundation for getting actual numbers and turning those statistics into real goals!
I look forward to seeing the unveiling of their initiatives and celebrating an extra special International Women's Day this year!
To me, this is not just for women who are currently in the AVIT industry but for all those young girls and ladies who have an interest and want to learn!
Jennifer
Jennifer:
I have already signed up to become a member. This will just help promote “everyone belongs” and can have a spot if they want. To me, this is not just for women who are currently in the AVIT industry but for all those young girls and ladies who have an interest and want to learn!
I feel that Higher Ed can be a (constantly improving) role model for the entire industry in regards to this initiative.
Annie
Annie:
An organization is only as good as the number of people who are actively engaged in it. I believe that everyone who supports the mission of WAVIT should join and be proud members - there is truly strength in numbers. I feel like (again no statistics) the Higher Ed AV/IT community is already more diverse and accepting of women in technical and leadership roles so I feel that Higher Ed can be a (constantly improving) role model for the entire industry in regards to this initiative.
I would encourage any man that is willing to be an Ally to join.
Erin
Erin:
I signed up to join the instant the org was introduced during Launch Code’s LAVNCH & LEARN - How to Actually Champion Women in AV/IT. I would encourage any man that is willing to be an Ally to join. That can only stand to help further the cause and help educate more especially since men tend to be in the position to do the hiring.
Karen:
Mentoring and advocacy are just the beginning. The challenge in changing the demographic of an entire industry is that it will need to be intentional and multi-faceted in approach, also encompassing efforts dedicated to career pipelines, hiring processes, and promotion opportunities, just to name a few. The good news is that we are seeing these topics addressed by organizations like ETC, HETMA, and AVIXA. It’s exciting to consider how WAVIT and these other groups are all working toward better industry diversity and I look forward to participating in WAVIT initiatives!
I feel fortunate to have the voices of women in leadership positions in our community and look forward to those voices growing in number and strength. I choose to try and help make that happen. I am proud to be a member of WAVIT and I want to be an ally.
I’m also proud to work for a college where the President, Provost, and Chair of the Governing Board are all women. Here’s a closing thought from Dr. Lisa Rhine, President of Yavapai College
I applaud the women of WAVIT for starting this organization. More than ever, IT professionals are crucial in every industry, including higher education. Countless women have the intelligence and skills to produce the high-quality work and leadership needed to transform any organization. As technology changes everything around us, these women will be vital in its deployment, maintenance, problem-solving, and evolution.
Dr. Lisa Rhine, President of Yavapai College