Benedict Faculty Turns into First HBCU to Provide Esports Undergraduate Diploma

Benedict Faculty has made historical past as the primary traditionally Black faculty and college to supply an undergraduate diploma within the rising eSports business.

Earlier this month, the college expanded on its funding into eSports by asserting a brand new diploma program aimed toward making ready college students for careers within the digital area.

“In line with Benedict’s strategic plan to supply transformational studying experiences, our revolutionary Esports Administration curriculum is designed to arrange college students to create new functions and to have interaction in all sides of the business,” Benedict Faculty Vice President of Educational Affairs, Dr. Janeen Witty, informed WIS Information 10.

The Columbia, South Carolina-based college is already the primary HBCU to host an Esports competitors along with being the primary HBCU with an esports gaming room. Now with their undergraduate diploma program, Benedict Faculty will provide minors and certifications in partnership with Blaze Hearth Video games.

The Blaze Hearth partnership additionally helped the college begin its esports membership for Madden and NCAA Faculty Soccer tournaments.

“We’re blazing trails,” Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President of Benedict Faculty mentioned.

Benedict is following within the steps of Syracuse College, which additionally has an eSports workforce, and Northwood and The Ohio State College who additionally launched eSports diploma applications.

“It’s a billion-dollar business, it’s rising yearly, and there’s extra alternatives, particularly for African People and folks of coloration in esports,” Dr. Paula Shelby, head of Benedict Faculty’s Well being, Bodily Schooling and Recreation Division, informed WACH Fox 57 Information.

Matthew Drapeau began as an esports professor at Benedict Faculty final fall and has been serving to college students embark on careers in esports advertising and marketing, broadcasting, and program growth.

“You’re studying emotional management, problem-solving abilities, as you give you issues, constructing issues, and significant pondering abilities, you may be taught cybersecurity abilities,” Drapeau mentioned.

“We’re right here to make a change. We’re right here to place black faces in all colours of the dimensions into esports,” mentioned Kylah Montgomery, a double artwork main at Benedict Faculty.