HETMA Announces Prism Scholarship Recipients

Los Angeles, Calif., Aug. 23, 2022 – The Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Prism Scholarship. HETMA, with the support of AVIXA, created the Prism Scholarship to support the growth of underrepresented communities within the U.S. higher education technology workforce.

The intent of the Prism Scholarship is to encourage women, LGBTQIA+, Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, disabled persons, and others to become active leaders and role models as technology managers in the higher education space.

“Higher education has always been an avenue to impact social change. HETMA recognizes that we have a unique opportunity to fulfill our mission of growing the influence of underrepresented professionals in the greater AV industry and are proud to announce our founding cohort,” said Joe Way, PhD, CTS, Director of Learning Environments, Information Technology Services, University of Southern California, and Chair of HETMA. “We are looking forward to witnessing this incredible group of AV professionals grow in their craft, earn their CTS, experience InfoComm, and become a lasting force in both higher ed and the AV industry.”

The recipients of the 2022 Prism Scholarships are:

 Mahogany Hickman

 Kameesha Jones

 Ann Kelly

 Dez McNeil

 Earl Mcnulty

 Dustin Myers

 Michelle Rasic

 Britt Yenser

This year, to commemorate the retirement of industry icon Cory Shaeffer, HETMA awarded a scholarship in her name. The Prism Scholarship in Honor of Cory Schaeffer was awarded to Natalie Gillespie from Northwestern University.

Scored, chosen, and distributed solely by HETMA’s discretion, the scholarship includes a one-year Elite Membership to AVIXA, inclusive of the entire online catalog of education, access to a virtual Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) prep course and course materials, the coverage of exam fees for the CTS exam, a mentorship by a HETMA member, plus a trip to a future InfoComm show.

"The opportunity to provide access to mentors, tools, and dynamic events in our industry was the lightbulb moment for this program," said Joé Lloyd, Senior Director, Communications, AVIXA. "Equitable access brings a diversity of thought and representation that will establish new thought leaders. We could not be more excited to be a part of this initiative."

About HETMA

HETMA is a recognized 501(c)3 advocacy organization focused on the higher education AV industry. The goal of HETMA is to raise awareness of technology issues unique to the higher education community by communicating with manufacturers, vendors, AV industry organizations, and higher education administrators on the needs and challenges that technology managers face. HETMA is also dedicated to providing educational and networking opportunities to our members so that we can empower and grow our influence as an industry through signature programs like our “HETMA Approved” products, manufacturer focus groups, DEI initiatives, and annual conference. Our belief is that all resources provided through HETMA should always be FREE to the higher ed community. We are by the higher ed vertical and for the higher ed vertical. Visit www.hetma.org for more information and member registration.