Gawrysiak to Oversee Esports Initiatives

Joey Gawrysiak has been named executive director of the University’s new esports communications and management degree program. Gawrysiak developed one of the first esports degrees in the country at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, where he is now a professor and director of esports. At Syracuse, he will provide visionary leadership for the University’s esports initiatives, with oversight of all esports academic programming and an esports living learning community. His appointment is effective Aug. 21.

“Joey has the knowledge, the vision and the entrepreneurial approach needed to successfully launch the University’s robust esports degree program,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “I am thrilled to have one of the pioneers in academic esports programming leading our efforts. I look forward to welcoming him to the Orange community.”

Says Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter, “As we invest in and grow the University’s sport-related academic disciplines and leverage this key area of distinction, Joey’s guidance and leadership will be crucial to our success. I look forward to working with him and the Falk and Newhouse deans to launch the new esports degree and expand our esports infrastructure.”