FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
03/27/2023
Prism Scholarship Named in Honor of Kayden Kassof
For the second year, HETMA is awarding ten (10) Prism Scholarships to underrepresented audiovisual professionals who work in the higher education vertical to receive training, certification, mentorship, and an InfoComm experience. In its partnership with AVIXA, awardees receive an elite AVIXA membership, the ability to take the CTS exam at InfoComm, a HETMA member mentor, HETMA-led CTS training sessions, and a trip to InfoComm to experience the AV industry. This year, HETMA has voted to offer a second of its ten scholarships in honor of a member of the AV community who epitomizes best what the Prism Scholarship stands for: Kayden Kassof.
Kayden is the Instructional Technologist and Learning Space Designer at American University in Washington, D.C., and serves on the leadership committee for the American University LGBTQ+ Affinity Group and an active member of SEIU Local 500 AU Staff Union. Outside of American University, Kayden is involved in several professional organizations, serving key roles in the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives of both HETMA and ETC, as well as the AVIXA Diversity Council. Kayden has an MFA in Film and Electronic Media specializing in documentary cinematography and a Graduate Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction focusing on nontraditional education.
Kayden explains what this means to them: “I’m excited and proud that we were able to come together with AVIXA and create the Prism Scholarship. I truly believe that it will help advance folks not well represented in the AV community but who have tremendous knowledge, insight, and passion which will drive our industry forward and improve the lives of students, faculty, and staff in higher education.” BC Hatchett, HETMA’s Co-founder, adds: “Kayden was the catalyst and inspiration for HETMA’s DEI initiatives. It is a honor for us to be able to recognize Kayden and their contributions to our vertical.” Kayden’s influence cannot be understated.
Joe Way, HETMA Chair, recalls: “I still remember the day Kayden called us out because we were claiming the need for diversity, but we didn’t even resemble that on our board. We knew needed to make real change. Kayden was the inspiration and motivation then, and continues to be to this day.” As an organization, it is an incredible moment for HETMA to be able to honor Kayden because the impact caused by them has had an everlasting effect on the higher ed vertical. Vice-chair Erin Maher-Moran confirms: “Kayden is a long standing DEI champion in Higher Ed AV. It is fantastic to be able to celebrate their efforts in this way.”
Kayden Kassof joins Cory Schaeffer as the second named scholarship. It will be delivered as “The HETMA Prism Scholarship in Honor of Kayden Kassof.” All HETMA named scholarships remain as named in perpetuity. They are offered to new individuals for a one year period as selected by the reviewing committee, given an awardee who best exemplifies the spirit and character of the Prism Scholarship.
Applications for the 2023-2024 cohort are now open.
Application Link
Submit an application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe33bNBcbXQtdwqGwYJ0XOLmQ-Y7KnHKTNWnuMNs_GxEUKoAQ/viewform. A total of ten (10) will be offered once again. Applications close on April 30, 2023. More information can be found at HETMA.org or writing the DEI committee at dei@hetma.org.
Eligibility
1. Belong to an underrepresented community within the AV industry; Women, LGBTQIA+, Black, Latino or Hispanic, Asian, Indigenous, Disabled Persons or other as identified.
2. Employed at a recognized higher education institution and have an email address from
your institution (.edu, edu.au, ac.nz, or ac.uk, etc.).
3. Not currently employed full time by an audiovisual company.
4. Demonstrates a keen interest in an AV career or specialty.
5. Does not qualify for employment based professional development funding to pursue a CTS qualification.
About the Prism Scholarship
As part of our dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion, HETMA has partnered with AVIXA to provide scholarships that support the growth of underrepresented communities within the US higher education technology industry.This scholarship is intended as encouragement for women, LGBTQIA+, Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, disabled persons and others to become active leaders and role models for technology managers in the higher education space. Recipients will be recognized as someone determined to leave their mark as an AV professional who has demonstrated a commitment to their continued education, displaying a passion for both higher education and the experiences that audiovisual technology creates. This scholarship includes a one-year Elite Membership to AVIXA, inclusive of the entire online catalog of education, access to a virtual CTS prep course, course materials, the coverage of exam fees for the Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) exam, and more!
About HETMA
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. Our belief is that all resources provided through HETMA should always be FREE to the higher ed community. We are by us and for us.
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.
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