our Advisers

College Esports founder, Donna “BasicTaq” Walters, is dedicated to supporting our leaders of tomorrow and creating positive spaces where everyone can belong. Not only has she been instrumental in the success of launching key inaugural events and initiatives throughout California for premium brands such as the California State University system, Big Sky Conference, CA State Fair, San Jose Sharks, and the Sacramento Kings, she has created a comprehensive approach to esports in education through the four cornerstones of Community, Competition, Education, and Entertainment to support the sustainability of esports in education globally. 

Donna aims to further support student success by connecting more brands and community leaders with students to create unique experiences and professional opportunities to help ignite their passion and close the college-to-career gap.

  Jihan Johnston is an inspiring and accomplished tech industry professional, educational specialist, and a proud Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. member. Her unwavering passion for driving positive change through gaming and esports has propelled her to break barriers and uplift underserved communities.

Originally from Philadelphia, Jihan earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Saint Augustine's University and later pursued a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Motivated by her desire to empower adolescents, Jihan embarked on groundbreaking work, leveraging the power of gaming to promote financial and business literacy.

Recognizing her expertise and dedication, Jihan was appointed an advisor member for the Onside Gaming Fund for Women Win, and Warrior GMR foundation. In addition, she serves as an educational specialist with the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF), where she champions educational opportunities for high school students through esports.

As a co-curator of BeatBotics, Jihan's visionary leadership shines as she raises awareness of the transformative impact of digital technology in esports, gaming, metaverse, and AI, particularly in black and brown communities. Her trailblazing spirit and commitment to amplifying the voices of these communities are nothing short of inspiring.

Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in informatics, focusing on the rich culture of black HBCU esports, Jihan stands as the first African American female to embark on such academic research. Her groundbreaking work is a beacon of inspiration, paving the way for future generations to embrace their passions and make a lasting impact.

Jihan Johnston's exceptional journey and unwavering dedication remind us of our power to uplift communities, break barriers, and inspire positive change. She is a true catalyst for transformation, leaving an indelible mark on the world and inspiring others to embrace their unique paths.

 Joseph H. Baek is an accomplished education industry leader with over 15 years of experience in founding and managing successful businesses and innovative educational programs. As the Executive Director of Education Initiatives at Gen.G Esports, Joseph has built the organization's education vertical from the ground up, focusing on outcome-oriented programs leveraging gaming and esports for growth and opportunity. Joseph was instrumental in creating the Gen.G Elite Esports Academy (GEEA), the world's first international esports education institution offering a diploma-granting program. With a passion for revolutionizing education and empowering students, Joseph is dedicated to creating meaningful change in the industry and is currently working on launching a tech education startup that leverages advanced technologies to empower youth to innovate and forge their own paths.

 Dr. Matthew Harrison is an experienced teacher, researcher and digital creator with a keen passion for utilising technology to enhance social capacity building, belonging and inclusion in education. He has taught in Australia, South Korea and the United Kingdom at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Matthew is currently coordinating Autism Intervention within the Master of Learning Intervention, and is the Director of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Melbourne Graduate School of Education. His research primarily focuses on neurodiversity, inclusive education and the effective use of digital technologies as teaching and learning tools. As a gamer, he has a particular interest in digital games-based learning and intervention.

Matthew's PhD thesis examined how cooperative video games can be used as spaces for developing social capabilities for students with disabilities and neurological differences. Building from this innovative research he co-founded the social enterprise Next Level Collaboration, an inclusive community for neurodivergent children that uses cooperative video games to build confidence and social capabilities. He also proudly serves as the Vice President of Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria. 

 Dr. Jakin Vela (he/him) serves as the Executive Director of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA). He is a sociologist and researcher focused on socio-technical cultures, minority stress, stigma, and diversity inclusion in tech (especially games and the games industry). His work highlights the effects of marginalization, group solidarity, and inclusion in virtual gaming spaces and organizational structures, especially among underrepresented groups. In addition to his role at the IGDA, he runs Astral Interactive--a small indie studio focused on emphasizing empathy in gameplay. He is also Owner/CEO of MagiTech Management Solutions, a consulting firm that helps businesses improve people and technology processes. In 2015, he established an LGBTQIA+ online guild in Final Fantasy XIV and continues to lead that community today.  

 Chris Lessard is a seasoned esports professional with a diverse background in casting, education, and business. They have collaborated with prominent gaming companies like Blizzard Entertainment and Riot Games, showcasing their talents both as on-screen talent and behind-the-scenes management. With a passion for education stemming from their background in music education, Chris brings a unique perspective, mentoring aspiring esports enthusiasts and leveraging their expertise to provide valuable guidance. Their dynamic casting style, leadership as a director, and commitment to excellence make Chris a valuable advisor in the esports landscape, ready to help guide the next generation of esports professionals. 

 Bubba is a professional broadcaster, host, consultant, entrepreneur, content creator, and veteran event manager. His main focus is on gaming, esports, education, and technology. He has worked in radio, television, live streaming and is the founder of the Jolumi Media firm (Joe-lou-me), where he consults for multiple esports, gaming, sports, tech, and education companies. He has been a gamer and self-proclaimed NERD ever since he was a kid when his dad managed Radio Shacks in Oklahoma. Bubba has been an adjunct professor in higher-ed since 2013, and worked in the non-profit and traditional sports industry for over 21 years with the YMCA, NCAA, NAIA, Parks and Recs, Sports Commissions, and the Chamber of Commerce. In 2018, he helped create the non-profit 501(c)3 charity the Videogames and Esports Foundation (VEF), and a year later took the reigns as the Executive Director.  

Rachael is a college student earning a bachelor's degree in communication with a public relations emphasis and a minor in sociology. Her passion for gaming stemmed from when she was very young playing tetris on her dad’s old Game Boy from the 1990’s. From there, she moved to the Nintendo DS, to playing MMORPGs on her high school laptop, to grinding out competitive VALORANT and Overwatch on her gaming PC.  It wasn’t until she got involved with the Los Angeles Valiant team from Overwatch did she truly discover her passion for the gaming community. Seeing everyone come together in the stadium to cheer on their favorite team will always be one of her favorite memories. She knew at that moment she wanted to be part of community management and development. Since then, she has geared her degree to developing inclusive environments and always aims to be the voice of the community in the gaming world.