In early 2023 at PGCC, there was a huge void in the world of gaming. I sought to develop a perpetual community based club/organization centered around gaming for people of all intentions (social/competition/learning/etc.) I aimed to incorporate this endeavor with the college’s offices, facilitate events, host an online networking platform, and spread the word. Gaming represents a multi-billion dollar industry, which is largely centered around STEM and creativity. Students will have the opportunity to use something they love as a tool to enhance their education and careers. 

In August of 2023, the PGCC Gaming Club was established. We ran the club for the entirety of the 2023-2024 school year and intend to renew the club every year, so as to keep the longevity of impact to students. We have already begun our 2024-2025 club year and have many future events planned. Adjacent to here is an example of a recent flyer that we consistently use throughout the year to advertise our events. The club itself maintains constant communication with it's members through a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) platform called Discord. It is there where we are able to post announcements to our many members. 

At club social events, students very often bring their own gaming equipment to share and or collaborate together on some gaming conquests or competitions. Any food, snacks, or refreshments are purchased using club funds granted by the SEAL Office. 

Esports has experienced exponential growth over the past few decades, evolving from niche gaming competitions to a global phenomenon with millions of fans and participants. Today, esports boasts professional leagues, multimillion-dollar prize pools, sponsorships from major brands, and a dedicated fan base that rivals traditional sports. As a result, esports has established itself as a legitimate industry with career opportunities spanning professional play, broadcasting, event management, and game development. Collegiate Esports represents a huge opportunity for PGCC to tap into. Our friends at the University of Maryland, Northern Virginia Community College, and Howard Community College all run their own collegiate Esports teams. I have crafted a proposal that lays out, in detail, how PGCC could use our existing resources to fund an esports team that would MASSIVELY improve our college's popularity and enrollment. The funding itself is significantly cheaper considering that we already have thousands of dollars in gaming equipment in the CAT building. Please see the adjacent file for the proposal.