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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.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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