Three students make history earning the first esports degree

Three students are making history in New York by graduating from a university with an esports degree. That’s the story of Ryan Blankenhorn, Cole Hilary and Brianna Nechifor, who became the first students to earn an esports communications and management degree from Syracuse University.

While each of the students is coming from a different background, they all share a passion for esports. Before their esports communications and management degree, Hilary and Nechifor were involved in producing, directing and supporting live streams for different esports competitions, a statement by Syracuse University reveals. On the other hand, Blankenhorn’s background includes a lengthy gaming career, as well as experience as a caster and coach. Earning such an innovative degree paves the way for the future professional career of the three students. When asked about his future plans, Hilary admitted that he wants to be in charge of his own production team or get a job as a content director. I’ve always enjoyed creating content, and with esports, I love being able to share that content and those stories live with the audience. Being able to tell a story live and use that content to entice and excite people to watch a competition motivates me, he added. Blankenhorn was similarly optimistic about his future and explained that he plans to earn a master’s degree in management and Human Resources at the University of Tennessee. Not unexpectedly, he said that while he is still studying for the degree, he will help grow the University’s esports program. They’ve had an esports club program for more than a decade, and I want to help Tennessee become the first SEC Division I school to earn varsity esports status, Blankenhorn outlined. Last but not least, Nechifor is already enjoying the fruits of her new esports degree. She explained that she has accepted a full-time role at Riot Games’ remote broadcast center, Gravity Media. There, Nechifor will serve as a broadcast multi-skilled operator. This is honestly my dream job! I’ll be working in Washington state starting in June, and I cannot wait to make an impact there, she added.