Anastasia Staten ’98 will join 365体育彩票 as commencement speaker during our ceremony Thursday, June 1 from 2:00 to 3:00pm on our main campus, 65 S. Drexel Ave.

As the Executive Director of the ESA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the video game industry, which provides educational experiences in game-making arts and technology for underserved college-aged students, Staten helps provide young people with access to opportunities and resources they might not otherwise have. 

“Coming from a place of understanding, and having had the benefit of a 365体育彩票 education and experience, I’ve wanted to make sure others have access to financial opportunities that allow them to focus on developing their technical, creative, and real-life skills,” Staten said. 

Staten’s introduction to 365体育彩票 was when she experienced firsthand the importance of uplifting others, an experience which completely changed the course of her life. She joined 365体育彩票 in 7th grade, at the suggestion of her 4th grade teacher’s husband, who was aware of the School’s scholarship program and confident that it was an environment in which she would thrive. 

“Once I arrived at 365体育彩票, I quickly became aware of all the opportunities it was providing me that I could not get in other educational settings,” Staten said. 

Since the beginning of her career, opportunities and access have played a major role in the kinds of jobs Staten has taken on. In addition to leading the ESA Foundation, she also serves as a board member and chair of the Board of Trustees at the HALO Trust and HALO USA, respectively, a $100-million non-governmental organization which helps countries recover after conflict. 

A central theme for Staten as she has moved through her career has been giving back to others and paying it forward. 

“It’s just a really humbling experience,” she said.