University Looks to Increase STEM Diversity with eSports
Tennessee State University will open an Academic eSports Center this
fall with the aim of increasing diversity in STEM and STEAM programs.
TSU is recognized by the United States Department of Education as one
of the currently
accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
According to the university, the new center will open on the main
campus. It will be overseen by the university’s SMART
Innovation Technology Center.
“eSports is a chance to attract underserved students into our STEAM
programs for opportunities to design, code, compose, coach, manage,
market, produce, and become innovators and game entrepreneurs,”
said Robbie Melton, associate vice president of the SMART Innovation
Technology Center and dean of Graduate and Professional Studies at
TSU, in a prepared statement. “eSports also complements our
TSU-HBCU-C2 National Center’s mission in promoting ‘Everyone Can
Code and Create’ partnership with Apple Inc. for empowering
underserved students and communities with technological knowledge,
skills, and opportunities for the global digital workplace.“
According to information released by the university, eSports-focused
academic courses will be offered through the center in the fall,
along with several new team programs.
“Classes that will be offered this fall through TSU’s new
Academic eSports Center include ‘Academic eSports Pathways to
STEAM’ and ‘The Rise of eSports and Gamification in PreK–Higher
Education.’ Also offered will be current eSports Team programs such
as FIFA, Call of Duty, Fortnite, NBA 2K, and Madden. Launching new
this fall will be NHL, Rocket League, Track and Field, Valorant,
Golf, Hockey, and iRacing.”
Further details can be found on TSU’s
news and information site.