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Decatur, Ill., is far away from home for Terezz Lee, who hails from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the draw of �¼������ϲʹٷ���վ University’s Arts Technology and Administration Program and the opportunity to participate in athletics made �¼������ϲʹٷ���վ his school of choice.

Since coming to �¼������ϲʹٷ���վ, Lee has excelled inside and out of the classroom, and he now has the unique distinction on campus of being both an undergraduate and graduate student. As part of �¼������ϲʹٷ���վ’s new 3+1 degree program, Terezz graduated in December 2022 with a B.A. in Arts Technology and Administration, and will walk the stage again in July 2023 for his MBA degree.

When Terezz’s academic advisor told him that he could graduate early or take part in the new 3+1 program to earn two degrees in four years, Terezz chose to continue at �¼������ϲʹٷ���վ. Staying at �¼������ϲʹٷ���վ also allowed him to further explore the proposal of his senior capstone project, which was to bring esports to the University. Esports, short for electronic sports, is a form of competitive video gaming.

Following his presentation on esports, Vice President of Student Affairs Raphaella Prange approached him with interest in his idea and research.

After deciding to complete the 3+1 program, Prange offered Terezz a graduate assistantship to further study the logistics of bringing esports to �¼������ϲʹٷ���վ. He explained that his entire position is focused on esports, from performing in-depth research about similar programs, to determining student interest and writing grant proposals. “It’s a lot of behind-the-scenes research and program planning,” he said.

In September 2022, Terezz organized an event on campus for students to play games commonly played in collegiate and competitive esports.

Terezz is confident that his esports research will help recruitment and admission efforts at �¼������ϲʹٷ���վ, particularly for STEM programs.

“I think a lot of students who play video games don’t see it going anywhere, but if they go to college and get to keep doing what they love, I think that would push them to get a good education.”