About the Federation
Mission
NASEF is on a mission to provide opportunities for all students to use esports as a platform to develop STEAM-based skills and social emotional attributes such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities needed to thrive in work and in life.
Vision
To ensure that all students possess the knowledge and skills needed to be society’s game changers: educated, productive, and empathetic individuals.
Core Values
- Learning » We connect learning and play in and out of the classroom so that students, educators and families experience the real-world value of education through interest-driven learning.
- Opportunity » We value a safe and engaging space for all students to connect, play, learn, and grow.
- Community » We build a strong community of interconnected scholar players who demonstrate leadership, accountability, commitment, and fortitude.
- Diversity » We develop strong character and self-identity so that all participants celebrate individuality and differences.
- Respect » We honor the human potential for respect of self and others.
Diversity and Non-Discrimination Policy
NASEF is an equal opportunity employer. NASEF shall not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or disability in the solicitation, selection, hiring, or treatment of sub-consultants, vendors, suppliers, or commercial customers. NASEF will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Welcome from the Executive Director
On behalf of all of us at the North America Scholastic Esports Federation, welcome to our unique opportunity to connect you “play and passion with purpose." NASEF represents an innovative approach to evidence-based project-based learning through the lens of esports, in a virtual world.
People often ask how I got involved with esports. My response is rather simple. I have spent over two decades devoting my time and effort to making a difference in the lives of children, and their families. My journey began as the CEO of a national public health foundation where my focus was on ensuring access and equity in all things related to individual and community health and wellness.
Following nearly eight years at the helm of that foundation, I became the Executive Director of the Samueli Foundation and was honored to lead their global philanthropy for nearly 13 years. The Foundation’s philanthropic efforts focused as well on health and wellness, and also on education, particularly STEM/STEAM… Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. The Foundation offered a holistic approach to supporting youth development through these lenses. After a decade of work, and significant introspection into the investments made, it became clear that we were not reaching the unengaged and disenfranchised, and, in particular, students of color and girls, at the level needed.
It was at that point that I began researching for new alternatives and quite literally stumbled upon the concept of esports. The research overwhelmingly demonstrated that those we were wanting to reach were playing games, both competitively and casually. It struck me that using esports as a “trojan horse” to engage them through play, and through the formation of a “Club” as a community gathering place where they could feel safe and explore their future, was what we were looking for. From this, NASEF was born, a place where high school and middle school students could have fun, play, learn and grow using a California state approved curriculum that connects esports with the STEM/STEAM skills they would need to thrive in today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.
Now, several years later, NASEF has become the pre-eminent global leader where our children can feel safe, play, learn and grow in a community that values who they are and how they explore their sense of self during their adolescent journey.
Take a moment and see what NASEF is about, come join, and enjoy your journey!
Good Luck and Have Fun,
Gerald Solomon
Gerald Solomon
Founder & Executive Director
North America Scholastic Esports Federation
Meet NASEF
Jorrel Batac
Chief Operating Officer
Claire LaBeaux
Chief Marketing Officer
Kevin Brown
Chief Academic Officer
Angie Batth
Marketing Coordinator
Nabil Ismail
Chief Technology Officer
Carolyn Navarro
Executive Assistant
James Wood
Scholastic Tournament Admin
Jihan Johnston
Esports Education Specialist
Board of Directors
Todd Harris
Chairman of the Board
Founder & CEO, Skillshot Media
Dr. Clint Kennedy
Esports & Education
Masahiro Maeda
Join NASEF and unlock free resources today!
Get access to the leading scholastic esports solution including: competition, curriculum, club toolkits, research, and a global community of esports educators
Get Started