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
Welcome to the world of Scholastic Esports! NASEF, the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations, reaches across the globe providing students, players, and families the unique opportunity to connect play and passion with purpose. NASEF offers an innovative approach to evidence-based immersive experiential learning through the lens of esports.
NASEF began as a project of the Samueli Foundation, where I was honored to lead global philanthropy as their Executive Director for nearly 14 years. The Foundation’s philanthropic efforts focused on health & wellness and education, particularly STEM/STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math). The Foundation offered a holistic approach to supporting youth development, but after a decade of work, and significant introspection into the investments made, it became clear that many were still left behind.
It was at that point that I began researching for new approaches and literally stumbled upon the concept of esports. The research overwhelmingly demonstrated that those we were wanting to reach were playing video games, either competitively or casually. It struck me that esports could be a “trojan horse” to engage them through their play; meanwhile, through the formation of an Esports Club we could provide a community gathering place where they could feel safe and explore their future. NASEF, originally known as the North America Scholastic Esports Federation, was born from this idea.
NASEF provides tools and resources to equip schools and out-of-school programs to establish a place where students can play, learn and grow. From the California state-approved curriculum to a vast Community Library, from esports and Minecraft tournaments to Beyond the Game challenges, NASEF helps youth develop personal and STEM/STEAM skills to help them thrive.
Well beyond initial expectations, NASEF not only expanded around North America, but also has earned a stellar reputation worldwide for supporting programs as they adopt this integrated approach to connecting play and learning. NASEF was chosen as the education partner to IESF, the world’s premier esports association, sharing its evidence-based curriculum and program format to IESF’s 130+ member countries. In addition, NASEF now also provides the exclusive pathway for United States athletes to enter IESF’s world championships, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, the United States Esports Federation.
NASEF is here to support you as you leverage scholastic esports for lifelong impact. Together, we will help youth as they Game. Grow. Learn. Lead.
Gerald Solomon
Gerald Solomon
Founder & Executive Director
NASEF
Meet NASEF
Jorrel Batac
Chief Operating Officer
Claire LaBeaux
Chief Advancement Officer
Kevin Brown
Chief Academic Officer
Nabil Ismail
Chief Technology Officer
Carolyn Navarro
Operations Manager
James Wood
Scholastic Tournament Admin
Jihan Johnston
Esports Education Specialist
Ansley Partosa
Marketing Specialist
Board of Directors
Todd Harris
Chairman of the Board
Founder & CEO, Skillshot Media
Dr. Clint Kennedy
Esports & Education
Masahiro Maeda
Nalain Naidoo
Specialist in Global Business Development
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