Beginning in the fall, Syracuse University’s electronic sports, or esports, academic degree program will welcome admitted students to campus for classes. This past academic year served as “Year Zero” for the esports degree program, which employs a holistic, experiential learning-based approach that will prepare students for career success in various industries, leveraging the largest collection of faculty and staff members of any esports program on a college campus. It’s an all-encompassing venture, including both the academic degree program and the competitive teams that vie for national championships in their respective games. Joey Gawrysiak, executive director of the esports degree program, was hired last August to bring his visionary research and skills to campus. He discusses the evolution of the esports program on campus, the progress made in its first year, the expanded opportunities available to students and what’s planned for the future.