WAVIT (Women in AV/IT) announced the establishment of the Mary Cook Empowerment Award: Designing the Future, an annual scholarship honoring the late Mary Cook—a trailblazer in AV/IT and a passionate advocate for inclusion and mentorship in the industry.

Mary Cook’s AV legacy began in 1991. She went on to co-found local AVIXA Women’s Council groups in Atlanta and Michigan. Her commitment to empowering women and advancing their professional growth earned her a place in the SCN Hall of Fame at InfoComm in 2017. WAVIT’s scholarship initiative pays tribute to her enduring impact and dedication to helping women thrive in the field.

To support the program, AVIXA has created a full InfoComm experience, which will bring scholarship recipients to the U.S. trade show to explore pro AV solutions, education and networking opportunities.

“Mary was devoted to making tangible and lasting contributions to the AV industry and supporting women to develop their careers. She brought her technical expertise to her service on AVIXA’s Standards Steering Committee and was a very early driver of the AVIXA Women’s Council, where she was a strong supporter and advocate for women to pursue their CTS certifications,” said Sarah Joyce, chief global officer at AVIXA. “We’re honored to collaborate with WAVIT and NV5 to create this scholarship in Mary’s name to help women continue to be supported and excel in our industry.”

As a founding sponsor, NV5 plays a vital role in launching the scholarship. Their contribution will directly support the recipient’s professional development and provide mentorship opportunities.

“Mary Cook’s contributions to the AV/IT industry continue to inspire us,” said Kelly Stumpf, PMP and principal consultant at NV5. “By supporting this scholarship, NV5 is honored to uphold Mary’s legacy and foster the next generation of women leaders in AV/IT. We believe this program will help propel careers and promote the spirit that Mary championed.”

The Mary Cook Empowerment Award: Designing the Future will provide invaluable opportunities for women in the early stages of their careers, focusing on AV system design and audio/visual environments. Key benefits include:

• Full InfoComm experience: Recipients will receive a comprehensive InfoComm tradeshow package, including full-show and education passes, travel and lodging.
• Membership opportunities: Recipients will gain WAVIT and AVIXA memberships, along with access to WAVIT’s Mentorship Program.
• Mentorship: Recipients will participate in WAVIT’s mentorship program, with potential guidance from NV5 to foster growth and industry connections.

WAVIT has formed a dedicated scholarship committee to establish criteria, review applications and recommend finalists. Candidates must:

• Be women in their early career stages (two years or less of experience)
• Show a commitment to AV system design and AEC fields
• Be based in the U.S. or Canada
• Aspire to create innovative audio/visual environments

Applications are open now and close April 18, 2025. The recipient will be announced on May 2, 2025, with the scholarship culminating in a full experience at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando, Florida (June 7–13).

Promoting Mary Cook’s legacy. To celebrate Mary Cook’s contributions, WAVIT will:

• Launch promotional campaigns across social media and other industry platforms
• Distribute memorial wristbands at InfoComm in Orlando
• Collaborate with industry associations to honor her legacy during their events

“Mary Cook exemplified what it means to uplift and inspire others,” said WAVIT Founder Brandy Alvarado-Miranda. “Through this scholarship, we aim to continue her mission of empowering women and advancing the AV/IT industry.”

For more information or to apply, visit WAVIT’s website.