Higher Ed Advisor: A Baker Tilly Podcast

University of Washington propels its esports program through its mission, values and student gaming culture

Episode Summary

The world of esports continues to be a positive disruptor across higher education and shows no sign of slowing down. University of Washington’s (UW) Associate Professor of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Policy, Dr. Jennifer Hoffman, joins Baker Tilly’s collegiate athletics and esports practice leaders, Dave Capitano and Adrienne Larmett, in this engaging podcast to explore what institutions should consider as they prepare to launch a new collegiate esports program or enhance their existing program into a more robust one. She discusses the importance of aligning institutional mission and values with collegiate esports, attaining equity and creating a sense of belonging for students. Dr. Hoffman also emphasizes the unique role esports plays in creating novel ways of learning in higher education. Listen to how UW’s commitment to being student-centered, their longstanding student gaming culture and the institution’s three pillars – community, career and competition, have all set up the University for esports success. Plus, Dr. Hoffman reveals three takeaways that can help colleges and universities amplify their esports programs in this dynamic digital space.

Episode Notes

The world of esports continues to be a positive disruptor across higher education and shows no sign of slowing down.  

University of Washington’s (UW) Associate Professor of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Policy, Dr. Jennifer Hoffman, joins Baker Tilly’s collegiate athletics and esports practice leaders, Dave Capitano and Adrienne Larmett, in this engaging podcast to explore what institutions should consider as they prepare to launch a new collegiate esports program or enhance their existing program into a more robust one. She discusses the importance of aligning institutional mission and values with collegiate esports, attaining equity and creating a sense of belonging for students.  

Dr. Hoffman also emphasizes the unique role esports plays in creating novel ways of learning in higher education. Listen to how UW’s commitment to being student-centered, their longstanding student gaming culture and the institution’s three pillars – community, career and competition, have all set up the University for esports success.

Plus, Dr. Hoffman reveals three takeaways that can help colleges and universities amplify their esports programs in this dynamic digital space.

Baker Tilly LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/bakertillyus/

Subscribe to Higher Ed Advisor – https://connect.bakertilly.com/higher-ed-advisor-podcast

Learn more about the University of Washington’s esports https://hub.washington.edu/play/esports/

Learn more about the University of Washington – http://www.washington.edu/

Learn more about Dr. Hoffman: https://linktr.ee/jlhoffman 

Learn more about Dr. Hoffman’s book: “Understanding Collegiate Esports: A Practitioner’s Guide to Developing Community and Competition”