From 4th grade classrooms to college campuses, the Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation (LASEF) is transforming how students engage with gaming, education, and each other. Under the leadership of Executive Director Jeffery Harrison, LASEF has built a statewide ecosystem that fuses scholastic competition with real-world career exploration. The result? A generation of students discovering that esports can be more than a pastime—it can be a powerful pathway.
Can you introduce yourself and your role at LASEF? How did you get started in esports?
I’m Jeffery Harrison, Executive Director of the Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation (LASEF). I oversee the growth and support of esports programs for students across Louisiana—whether they’re in public or private schools, homeschooled, or part of a community-based group. I got involved because I saw how esports could connect with students who weren’t always engaged by traditional extracurriculars. It became clear that gaming could be more than just fun—it could be a powerful way to help students build confidence, community, and career skills.
What does your esports program offer students?
LASEF runs both online and in-person competitions across a wide range of titles, but that’s just the entry point. Through our Ambassadors Program, students step into real-world roles like shoutcasting, video editing, event planning, and IT support. Our statewide Student Government develops leadership skills while giving students an active voice in shaping the league. We also collaborate with schools and community partners to host workshops focused on streaming, content creation, media literacy, and STEM careers—from cybersecurity to drone racing.
How do you prepare students for future careers?
We model our programming on the real esports ecosystem. Students don’t just play—they learn what it takes to run a professional event, produce a live broadcast, manage a team, or build a personal brand. That exposure helps them discover career paths in esports, gaming, and adjacent industries like marketing, production, and tech. Several of our students have gone on to college esports programs, internships, or freelance work—armed with practical experience, a strong portfolio, and a sense of purpose. Most importantly, they do it in an environment where inclusion and empowerment are prioritized.
What inspired the creation of LASEF? Were there models you followed?
We saw how many students loved gaming but had no structure to compete, grow, or lead. National programs like NASEF were influential, but we built LASEF to meet Louisiana’s unique needs. Our model is open-access, leadership-driven, and deeply community-oriented. Students don’t just join our program—they help build it.
