Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) is making waves in the world of competitive gaming with its rapidly growing Esports program. Since launching its Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Esports in 2022, PVCC has taken bold steps to establish itself as a leader in the field. The fall 2024 semester marked a pivotal moment as PVCC’s Puma Esports teams made their debut in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC), achieving remarkable success.
PVCC fielded four teams this season — Valorant, League of Legends, Overwatch, and Super Smash Brothers Ultimate – all of which qualified for the playoffs, and three of them coming in second overall.
“Each of the teams’ playoff runs is a massive achievement and a testament to their hard work, strategy, and dedication,” said Josh Moss, director of Puma Esports. “The season solidifies PVCC’s reputation as a force to be reckoned with in collegiate esports and I cannot wait to see what comes next.”
“It has really been a surreal experience,” said Tyler Jacome, a Video Game Production student at PVCC and captain of the League of Legends team. “Going into our bracket, I wasn’t sure what to expect from such a large league, and placing second has made me extremely proud of the improvement myself, as well as the rest of the players. With three out of four teams placing second in our pilot year, I’m extremely excited to see where we go in the future as we continue to improve.”
Industry Relevance and Career Opportunities
While gaming has been around since the 1970’s, the global esports industry has experienced exponential growth amassing an audience of nearly 600 million people, and revenue projected to surpass $1.6 billion this year. The rise of streaming platforms, increased access to gaming technology, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have fueled this growth, turning esports into a mainstream cultural phenomenon. Esports tournaments now fill stadiums, attract major sponsorships from brands like Coca-Cola and Intel, and even broadcast live on networks like ESPN.
This explosion in popularity has led to a surge in career opportunities in management, event production, marketing, and digital content creation. Recognizing this, PVCC’s Esports Certificate of Completion (CCL) prepares students for entry-level employment in these rapidly growing fields. The certification offers students practical knowledge in hospitality, business, marketing, creative writing, computer technology, and video game production. Students can also pursue PVCC’s Video Game Production associate degree, which equips them with the technical and creative expertise needed to plan, design, and produce video games.
For students with dreams of becoming professional gamers, PVCC’s program serves as a critical stepping stone. By competing on a national stage through the NECC, students gain exposure and experience that can accelerate their path to professional esports careers. The support provided by the program’s academic integration, state-of-the-art resources, and hands-on learning opportunities gives players a significant advantage in this competitive industry.
“I’ve really enjoyed the Esports program because it highlights everything competitive and team-oriented about my own game and has given me exposure to opportunities, events, and overall fun,” said Hannah Kelly, a graphic design student and captain of one of the Overwatch teams. “The experience of reaching the playoffs and ultimately placing second in the bracket is genuinely so cool. It really shows the potential of PVCC as a whole for the league and our Esports teams.”
Inclusive Community and Unique Approach
Unlike many college esports programs housed within student affairs or athletics, PVCC’s Esports program is intentionally placed within the academic affairs division, under the Fine and Performing Arts department. This unique structure allows the program to leverage academic funding, integrate co-curricular activities, and use cutting-edge technology in ways that many other programs cannot. It’s an approach that emphasizes the academic value of esports while supporting its broader growth potential.
With a mantra of “All gamers are welcome here,” PVCC’s program champions diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as the first of its four foundational pillars – Community, Collaboration, Competition, and Cognition. The program’s players are as diverse as its mission, bringing together students pursuing careers in nursing, dental hygiene, paleontology, graphic design, business, and more. Through its inclusive philosophy, PVCC ensures that students from all walks of life can participate and thrive in the esports world.
“Having the opportunity to compete on a semi-professional level and earn a scholarship through that is a huge blessing,” said Nathan Eskelson, a music student studying Jazz performance, Songwriting, and Producing. “Josh Moss and Ryan Stone are two of the most resourceful and admirable people I know. Working with them for the past 2 years has been wonderful.”
“The program has been amazing,” said Mikaela Lewis, an art and animation student at PVCC, who also serves as captain of the Super Smash Brothers team. “I like esports because it allows practically anyone to play without the need to meet certain physical requirements and allows me to be myself without being judged. Also, I've been able to get scholarships off of doing what I love and continue my studies thanks to this program. This experience drives me to improve my play so we can potentially make it to nationals and be on the big stage.”
League of Legends teammate shared his love/hate relationship with Esports, explaining that his competitive edge drove him to spend most of his free time growing up playing video games. “Esports has been a journey of self-reflection for me. What started as a pastime to fill my free time has become a tool for growth. I would not be in the program today if the faculty did not possess the character that they do. I came in confident in my abilities, but it was the experience of working with my teammates — seeing them grow in communication and mindfulness — that opened my eyes to my own need for development. With the support of faculty like Josh Moss, I’ve learned that true competition isn’t just about winning, it’s about becoming a better version of yourself along the way,” said Ives, who is studying philosophy at PVCC.
What’s New for Puma Esports
Moss will be attending the NECC’s Spring 2025 conference, at which he will participate in panel discussions. Out of more than 250 colleges and universities, PVCC is one of only a few community colleges invited to speak, and one of only three Arizona colleges represented alongside Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University. This recognition highlights the uniqueness and effectiveness of PVCC’s approach to esports education.
“The greatest feeling that I get from all of this work is seeing jerseys on these kids,” said Moss, adding that many of their parents told him they never thought they would ever see this. “We’ve brought them and their families closer together than ever before, creating lifelong memories and experiences.”
Moss and the Puma Esports program are preparing for the spring 2025 season with plans to field eight teams for national competition — doubling its roster from the fall season. The college continues to recruit more students, offering opportunities to those interested in not only playing but also building skills for careers in esports-related industries. And while the program has seen tremendous success, it faces challenges in securing sponsorships and donations to support its growth. As the program’s visibility increases and its achievements stack up, the hope is that sponsors and donors will recognize the potential to invest in a program that’s shaping the future of esports. Puma Esports Foundation contributions help to provide scholarships, upgrade and maintain facilities and technology, expand opportunities for competition and travel, and enhance the overall learning experience.
Paradise Valley Community College’s Esports program is redefining what’s possible in collegiate gaming. By combining competitive success, academic integration, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, PVCC has built a program that prepares students for success in the fast-growing world of esports. To learn more about PVCC’s Esports program, degrees, and certificates, visit the website. To learn more about Puma Esports contact esports@paradisevalley.edu and check out https://www.instagram.com/pvccesports/ and https://x.com/pvccesports.