Arkansas State University–Beebe is excited to announce the addition of esports to its co-curricular offerings.
Esports at ASU-Beebe is a unique collaborative effort between the Office of Student Life and Information Technology Services. Lead project managers for the esports at ASU-Beebe include Jacob Grindstaff, Information Technology Services manager and Zachery Tucker, dean of students.
Tucker said esports is one of the fastest growing extracurricular activities among high school students and the Student Life team hopes to positively impact student engagement by providing students a place to interact through gaming at the college level.
“Research and our own assessment data show us that students who are engaged outside of the classroom have a deeper connection, sense of belonging and perform better in the classroom,” Tucker said.
“In the residence halls we have noticed committed gamers are less likely to participate in traditional college activities,” Tucker said. “Esports can provide another avenue for student engagement among gaming enthusiasts.”
With plans to open later in the summer, the Office of Student Life will open the college’s first dedicated gaming area. The Esports Lounge will be located on the first floor of the McKay Student Center and will include six competition-ready gaming stations, a console gaming space and a hangout/strategy area with the potential for streaming and future development of esports at ASU-Beebe.
Staffed by the Information Technology Services team, ASU-Beebe will offer two levels of esports programming – club sports teams and open recreation.
Club sports teams compete in a variety of regional and online tournaments. Team members join the Vanguard Esports student organization, compete in teams based on select titles and have direct access to the Esports Lounge.
Open recreation provides opportunities for students to use the Esports Lounge for fun. Whether between classes or before work, the Esports Lounge has open hours for students to check out a gaming station and enjoy the space with their own title license.
For more information about esports at ASU-Beebe, visit the website at www.asub.edu/esports.
For more information about programs offered at ASU-Beebe, call (501) 882-3600 or view the website at www.asub.edu.
Founded in 1927, Arkansas State University-Beebe is an operationally separate, two-year institution of the Arkansas State University System. With campuses located at Beebe, Heber Springs, Searcy, Little Rock Air Force Base and online, the college offers associate degrees, certificates and noncredit training for business and industry.
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