University’s Esports & Gaming Program Announces Academic Partnership with Twitch

An affiliation with the leading service and community for multiplayer entertainment will feature a jointly developed class on live streaming and streaming economics and mentorship opportunities for University of New Haven students.

July 20, 2020

The University of New Haven has announced an academic partnership with Twitch. The affiliation will support the University’s pioneering programs in esports that are officially launching in the fall.

“Our Esports and Gaming and Esports Management students will have the chance to learn from and build relationships with the executives of one of the most successful companies in the gaming industry,” said Brian Kench, Dean of the University of New Haven’s Pompea College of Business. “The interactions will provide unmatched learning experiences and incredible networking opportunities.”

The collaboration with Twitch is the second industry affiliation the University’s Esports and Gaming program has announced recently, following an association the University finalized with HyperX, the sponsor of some of the world’s top esports organizations.

Both partnerships were spearheaded by Jason Chung, BCL, LLB, Assistant Professor of Sport Management and Executive Director of the University’s esports program. He is a lawyer who specializes in building programs focused on succeeding in the business of esports.

"The partnerships that we have forged will enable us to provide unmatched learning opportunities that will prepare our students to excel."Assistant Prof. Jason Chung

“I am excited to be able to provide our students an inside look at what makes Twitch an industry leader,” said Chung. “The streaming side of esports and gaming provides a wide variety of career paths. Thanks to our association with Twitch, our students will be well-prepared to pursue these opportunities.”

One highlight of the partnership will be a jointly developed and delivered class titled “Introduction to Live Streaming and Streamer Economics.” Students will have a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the recent growth of Twitch.

Last fall, the University announced it was launching a comprehensive academic curriculum in esports management that is the first of its kind to be part of a business curriculum accredited by AACSB International.

This fall, the University will officially launch its interdisciplinary major in Esports and Gaming that will be housed in its Pompea College of Business and feature innovative concentrations offered by the University’s School of Health Sciences, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, and College of Arts and Sciences. A Master’s Degree Program in Esports Business, the first such graduate program in the U.S., is also in development.

“Our mission is to be at the forefront of preparing students to be leaders in the business side of the esports industry,” explained Chung. “The partnerships that we have forged will enable us to provide unmatched learning opportunities that will prepare our students to excel.”