WAVIT Expands 2026 Mary Cook Empowerment Scholarship to Support Women in AV/IT

WAVIT (Women in AV/IT) has announced the return of the Mary Cook Empowerment Award: Designing the Future for 2026, continuing its mission to support women starting careers in the AV/IT industry. Created in honor of Mary Cook, a respected advocate for women in audiovisual technology, the scholarship provides early-career professionals with access to education, mentorship, and networking opportunities that can help shape their future in AV system design and technology integration.

This year, with support from Shure and AVIXA, WAVIT is expanding the program to award two recipients instead of one. Each winner will receive a full InfoComm 2026 experience in Las Vegas, including travel, lodging, show access, memberships, and mentorship support, giving emerging women professionals valuable exposure to the latest industry technologies and leaders.

WAVIT (Women in AV/IT) proudly announces the return of the Mary Cook Empowerment Award: Designing the Future, an annual scholarship created to honor the legacy of the late Mary Cook, a trailblazer who championed the advancement of women in the AV/IT industry.

Mary Cook’s AV career began in 1991, and she later co-founded local AVIXA Women’s Council groups in Atlanta and Grand Rapids. Her dedication to mentorship and advocacy helped pave the way for women pursuing careers in technology and AV system design. In recognition of her contributions, Mary was inducted into the SCN Hall of Fame at InfoComm in 2017.

The Mary Cook Empowerment Award: Designing the Future scholarship continues her mission by supporting women in the early stages of their AV/IT careers and providing access to industry education, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

In 2026, Shure has made it possible for WAVIT to award two scholarship recipients, expanding the program’s impact and providing additional opportunities for women entering the professional audiovisual industry.

To support the scholarship experience, AVIXA will once again provide a full InfoComm experience, bringing recipients to the largest professional audiovisual trade show in North America to explore emerging technologies, attend education sessions, and build meaningful industry connections.

“Mary was devoted to making tangible and lasting contributions to the AV industry and supporting women as they developed their careers,” said Sarah Joyce, Chief Global Officer, AVIXA. “We’re honored to collaborate with WAVIT and Shure to continue this scholarship in Mary’s name and help empower women to thrive in the AV industry.”

As a founding sponsor, Shure plays a vital role in supporting the scholarship and advancing opportunities for women entering the AV and audio technology fields.

“Mary Cook’s legacy continues to inspire the industry,” said Althea Ricketts, VP Corporate Initiatives from Shure. “We are proud to support WAVIT in honoring her impact while helping develop the next generation of women leaders in AV/IT.”

Scholarship Benefits

The two selected recipients will receive invaluable opportunities designed to accelerate their careers in AV system design and audiovisual technology.

Each recipient will receive:

• Full InfoComm Experience – Including show passes, education access, travel, and lodging for InfoComm 2026 in Las Vegas (June 17–19)
  • Industry Memberships – WAVIT membership, AVIXA membership, and access to WAVIT’s mentorship program
  • Mentorship Opportunities – Direct access to industry leaders and guidance through WAVIT’s mentorship network

Scholarship Selection Process

WAVIT has formed a dedicated scholarship committee responsible for reviewing applications and selecting finalists. Qualified candidates must:

• Be women in the early stages of their careers (approximately two years of experience or less)
  • Demonstrate interest in AV system design, technology integration, or AEC-related fields
  • Be based in the United States or Canada
  • Show passion for creating innovative audiovisual environments

2026 Application Timeline

• Applications Open: April 2026
  • Application Deadline: April 29, 2026
  • Final Candidate Review: May 25, 2026
  • Scholarship Recipients Announced: June 1, 2026
  • Scholarship Experience: InfoComm 2026, June 17–19 in Las Vegas

Honoring Mary Cook’s Legacy

To celebrate Mary Cook’s impact on the AV community, WAVIT will continue promotional efforts throughout the year, including industry outreach, social media campaigns, and partnerships with organizations that support diversity and inclusion in technology.

“Mary Cook exemplified what it means to uplift and inspire others,” said Brandy Alvarado-Miranda, Founder of WAVIT. “Through this scholarship, we are continuing her mission, empowering women to enter the AV/IT industry, grow their careers, and shape the future of technology.”