■ Higher Education
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NJCU President Dr . Sue Henderson
Stockton University .
NJEDA and Stockton University signed an MOU enabling the NJEDA to provide $ 200,000 in funding plus staff resources to the school for its esports initiative , which includes Stockton ’ s establishment of an Esports Innovation Center at the university ’ s Atlantic City campus . The Center is expected to help to advance the goal of establishing Atlantic City as a hub for the rapidly growing esports industry .
“ Esports presents a rare chance to cultivate an entirely new industry that will create good-paying , skilled jobs , along with an opportunity to build industry leadership ,” says New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y . Oliver . “ With a renowned higher education partner like Stockton University , and our unparalleled pool of technology talent , I am confident that New Jersey is well-equipped to support the rapidly-growing esports industry and the economic potential it can offer our residents and small businesses .”
The esports industry has swiftly grown in popularity in the United States , with total revenues in North America projected to reach $ 250 million this year and a viewing audience of 57 million people . By 2025 , the industry is expected to reach $ 9 billion globally .
The esports industry can help diversify New Jersey ’ s tourism and entertainment sector and be a source of new high-quality , high-wage jobs , such as software engineers , product developers , and content provision / event production roles . The industry is large and rapidly growing , with total esports employment in the United States nearly doubling from Q2 2019 to Q2 2020 .
Stockton University President Dr . Harvey Kesselman
Thanks to New Jersey ’ s strong technology infrastructure and innovation ecosystem , the esports industry has already taken root in the state , and the Esports Innovation Center will build on that momentum to establish New Jersey , and Atlantic City , as the epicenter of esports growth . This Center will also be a huge step forward in creating the most diverse innovation ecosystem in the country and will help to close the racial and gender wage and employment gaps .
“ The new Esports Innovation Center will work with Stockton and industry partners to position Atlantic City and New Jersey as esports leaders and help shape the future of the esports landscape ,” says Stockton University President Dr . Harvey Kesselman . “ Esports industry partners will have the ability to become members of the Esports Innovation Center and join in the center ’ s research , events , and activities .”
Among other activities , the Center will focus on catalyzing collaborative technology innovation , supporting workforce development within the esports industry , positioning New Jersey and Atlantic City as an esports leader through events and thought leadership , identifying and promoting best practices for regulating wagering on esports and ensuring integrity in competitions , and promoting diversity and inclusion , as well as healthy gaming practices , as essential components of esports culture .
The Esports Innovation Center will also work with the Division of Gaming Enforcement and independent bodies that govern integrity in competitions to position New Jersey as a national leader in regulation and integrity practices for esports and will promote diversity and
Felician University President James W . Crawford , III
inclusion , as well as healthy gaming practices , in the esports industry .
New President Appointed for Felician University
James W . Crawford , III — a retired admiral and the 43rd Judge Advocate General ( JAG ) of the United States Navy — was appointed Felician University ’ s sixth president after serving in that position on an interim basis .
President Crawford ’ s vision for Felician University reflects a profound respect and responsibility to each member of the Felician community , beginning with its students . His commitment to expand the boundaries of academic programs , cultivate immersive learning environments and enhance the Felician-Franciscan experience will further his goal to elevate the arc of every student and the lives they touch now and in the future .
In the U . S . Navy for more than three decades , Admiral Crawford served under six Presidents and was Lead Counsel for the principal military advisor to Presidents George W . Bush and Barack Obama . He was a trusted voice for the National Security Council , the Homeland Security Council and Secretaries of Defense Robert M . Gates and Leon Panetta .
A native of Charlotte , North Carolina , Crawford graduated from Belmont Abbey College and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of North Carolina . He holds a Master of Laws degree in Ocean and Coastal Law from the University of Miami , and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College . He was named an MIT Seminar XXI Fellow .
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