Industry Certifications and Collegiate Pathways in Esports
University View Academy hosted its second annual Esports Industry Day on Friday, February 27, at the Lynx Den STEAM Center. Members of the UVA esports club were joined by fellow esports teams from Dutchtown High School, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Loyola University.
The event kicked off with a 60-minute virtual presentation by John Waynick, a 3D environment artist specializing in development for real-time interactive software, games, and film. Waynick closed his session with a Q&A session that allowed attendees to ask a wide range of questions on game design, development, and production.
“The goal is really for the students to get into their heads that esports is not just competition.” UVA Esports Coordinator Adrieanne Moliere said. “You can design games. You can work on UX and UI. You can work on content creation, content development. If you want to do this professionally, everything we’re doing at University View Academy at the high school, middle school, and elementary school level is going to prepare you for that.”
Members of the UVA esports club were engaged, donning their brand new blue and green team uniforms at the event to represent the Lynx team. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Loyola University squared off in an Overwatch match while spectators watched. There were free play options, including Super Smash Bros, for attendees to take part in as well.
“We’re really working to get them to see esports as an ecosystem. A lot of the industry certifications students are gaining in high school are paving the way for them to do this in college or at the professional level,” Moliere added.
University View Academy is Louisiana’s premier tuition-free K-12 online school. We offer a flexible, personalized education choice for residents across Louisiana that is powered by state-certified teachers and supported by in-person Micro Academies.