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West Virginia University has launched an online Bachelor of Arts in Esports Business and Entertainment through the College of Applied Human Sciences, expanding access to a career-focused program in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global entertainment industry.

The fully online program is housed in the School of Sport Sciences and covers event management, governance, marketing, communications, and business development, with coursework that also reflects broader shifts in the digital sports landscape, including sports gambling and fantasy sports. Courses are designed to keep pace with an industry that evolves rapidly, incorporating current events and emerging trends alongside foundational skills.

The College of Applied Human Sciences will celebrate commencement on Sunday, May 17, at 9 a.m. at the WVU Hope Coliseum. Here is a look at several graduates from the college who will earn their degrees this spring.

Madison Zink served in the U.S. Navy before trading her uniform for a student teacher's classroom, earning a degree in Elementary Education and plans to continue into a master's in Literacy Education. Jordyn Lovett completed her degree in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology in three years and heads to the University of Illinois-Chicago to pursue a master's and her certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant.

Paige Grove came to WVU partly because of how welcoming the campus felt on visits, and partly because her mother is an alumna. She found her direction in Youth and Family Sciences, with a focus on child life, a healthcare specialty centered on supporting children and families through serious medical experiences. Hands-on time at WVU Medicine Golisano Children's Hospital put that training into practice and pointed her toward a master's degree in child life at the University of Georgia this fall.

Ethan Waugh grew up in Morgantown, which made choosing WVU easy. What took more thought, though, was figuring out how to turn his passion for esports into a career. The Sport Leadership program gave him that framework, and he further molded his path with minors in Esports Management and Strategic Social Media. While completing his degree fully online, Waugh worked full-time at a sports complex and competed on the WVU Esports team, making multiple NACE playoff runs along the way. He graduates this spring with his sights set on a full-time role in esports operations.

Noah Miller grew up surrounded by the gold and blue. His father has worked for WVU Medicine since before Miller was born, so choosing WVU felt less like a decision and more like a given. What wasn't predetermined was his path once he arrived. Miller started in exercise physiology before finding his footing in physical education, ultimately earning both a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Kinesiology and a master's in Physical Education Teacher Education. Along the way, he logged more than 1,000 hours of hands-on teaching experience and was named the SHAPE America Major of the Year.

As part of West Virginia University’s May 2026 Commencement celebration, Emma Halstead, an elementary education major from the College of Applied Human Sciences, shares a thank you note to one of the faculty members who had a significant impact on her: Johnna Bolyard.

The College of Applied Human Sciences recognized outstanding students from across its two academic schools during its annual Student Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 24, at the Mountainlair on the WVU campus.

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West Virginia University's varsity esports program wrapped up its best NACE Grand Finals performance to date last weekend, with all three teams finishing in the top three nationally at the Spring 2026 championships held at Full Sail University in Orlando, FL.

The Valorant team, seeded fourth entering the postseason, reached the national championship match for the first time in program history, falling to Maryville in the final to finish runner-up. The Rocket League team, the top seed nationally, earned third place after falling to Ball State in the semifinals. The Call of Duty team turned in perhaps the most improbable run of the weekend, entering the postseason as the No. 11 seed and battling through the lower bracket before falling to Cumberland, 3-0, in the lower bracket final to finish third.

As part of West Virginia University’s May 2026 Commencement celebration, Joseph Magazzolo, a sport management major from the College of Applied Human Sciences, shares a thank you note to someone who had a significant impact on him: his best friend.

As part of West Virginia University’s May 2026 Commencement celebration, Alaina Fry a mental health and addiction studies major from the College of Applied Human Sciences, shares a personal letter to her high school self—reflecting on the growth, challenges, and moments that shaped her WVU experience.

Kylie Dempsey arrived at WVU with a clear career goal in physical therapy and a passion she wasn't willing to give up on: dance. She spent most of her college career pursuing both at once, carrying more than 18 credits a semester while logging over 10 hours a week in the studio. A late switch to CAHS in her senior year brought everything into focus, connecting her to the Health and Well-Being program and a Performing Arts Medicine minor that tied her two interests together. She leaves this spring with degrees in both Dance and Health and Well-Being, on track for a doctorate in physical therapy.

Jordyn Lovett came to WVU knowing exactly what she wanted: a sport psychology program and a club gymnastics team. She found both, and then put the pedal to the metal. Lovett completed her degree in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology in three years, adding a sport coaching minor along the way, and building applied experience through peer advising and hands-on work with WVU Athletics youth camps. Later this fall, she heads to the University of Illinois-Chicago to pursue a master's degree in kinesiology and her certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant.

Noah Miller, a Physical Education and Kinesiology (PEK) major at West Virginia University, has been named a 2025 SHAPE America Major of the Year — one of the highest national honors for undergraduate students in the field.

Presented by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America), the Major of the Year award recognizes top-performing students in health, physical education, recreation, and dance who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to service. Students are nominated by a faculty advisor or professor, with only one nomination permitted per major.

As part of West Virginia University’s May 2026 Commencement celebration, Rachel Rapose, an elementary education major from the College of Applied Human Sciences, shares a personal letter to her high school self—reflecting on the growth, challenges, and moments that shaped her WVU experience.

Madison Zink was a Navy veteran before she was a Mountaineer. After her service, she took stock of what she wanted to do next and landed on elementary education, drawn to WVU in part by her sister's experience there. The program delivered what she was looking for: real time in classrooms, practical preparation, and professors who stayed engaged. Off campus, Zink found her footing through the WVU Veterans Club, where she served as vice president and built the confidence she'd need heading into a teaching career.