Henry Johnston, Baker College Esports Director
Baker College announces Henry Johnston as the new Esports Director. With a rich background in esports and a passion for fostering student success, Johnston is set to launch and lead Baker College’s competitive varsity esports program.
Johnston’s journey in esports began during his undergraduate years when he was a leader in his university’s esports club. His experience in managing the club and competing provided a strong foundation. After graduating from Butler University with a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media Production and a dual major in Spanish, along with a minor in Strategic Communication, Johnston embarked on a professional esports career, starting at Clarke University as their first Director of Esports. He established and grew the varsity esports program from the ground up, while also simultaneously pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration. In just three years, the program expanded to include more than 25 competing athletes across six different esports.
His academic journey and professional experience have equipped him with a wealth of knowledge and skills, making him a perfect fit for Baker College. “I utilized all I learned to give myself a jump start in leading an esports program, where I focused on culture-building and providing a positive student experience to everyone involved,” Johnston said.
His vision for the esports program at Baker College is ambitious and forward-thinking. “Esports is ever-changing, so keeping an eye on the pulse of how our industry continues to adapt and change is critical,” he explained. “I believe there are very few ‘experts’ in the collegiate esports space, as it is still so young, so it’s important to have a wide understanding and grasp of what is necessary to build a strong esports program with a positive culture.” Baker plans to do just that through the establishment of their upcoming varsity esports team that will begin competing in Fall 2024.
Additionally, “Baker College offers what very few other colleges or universities can for esports including club and varsity scholarships. I want our program to secure a legacy beyond the collegiate space and help our players make it to the next level into the professional scene by actively qualifying and competing in the amateur scene. Our goal is to structure our esports program like a professional team, and push our players to high levels of competitive excellence to build something special,” Johnston stated.
Johnston is excited about the opportunity to build something unique at Baker College and has support behind him. Scott Wood, Chief Information Officer at Baker College expressed his enthusiasm. “We are thrilled to welcome Henry Johnston to the Baker College community. His extensive experience and dedication to student success make him the ideal leader for our new esports program. We are confident that under his guidance, our program will flourish and provide our students with exceptional opportunities in collegiate esports,” Wood said.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees on campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more about the esports program, and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram. Follow Johnston and Baker College Esports to keep up with announcements about the team roster and competitions.