Collegiate Esports Inclusive Excellence Handbook

Introducing the VOICE Inclusive Excellence Handbook: Building Equitable and Welcoming Collegiate Esports Programs

As esports continues to grow across higher education, the need for inclusive, equitable, and student-centered programs has never been more urgent. To meet this growing need, VOICE has published the Collegiate Esports Inclusive Excellence Handbook—a practical and powerful resource designed to guide students, administrators, and esports leaders in creating programs that serve all students from day one.

This handbook doesn’t just talk about DEI as an afterthought. It embeds inclusive excellence into every layer of program development—whether you’re launching a brand-new esports program or refining a long-established one. Written by leaders across the collegiate esports and DEI landscape, the handbook includes contributions from a diverse set of educators and professionals with deep experience in education, game development, and social equity.

Structured to be actionable, the handbook offers:

• First-step guides for new and existing programs on how to center DEI from the ground up.
• Policy recommendations across key areas such as student leadership, game selection, facilities, events, social media, and behavior management.
• Practical advice on topics like including part-time and commuter students, supporting console and mobile gamers, and ensuring your esports space is accessible and ADA-friendly.
• Strategies for leadership that center student voice and ensure real, equitable power-sharing.
• A focus on cultural transformation, not just structural change.

It also tackles the hard questions: What games reflect your university’s values? How do you ensure your esports space isn’t just accessible—but welcoming? How can student behavior policies foster belonging rather than exclusion? How do you empower student leaders from historically marginalized backgrounds?

Throughout the document, you’ll find thoughtful and forward-looking approaches to justice in collegiate esports—rooted in real-world experience and designed for institutions of all sizes.

Download the full VOICE Inclusive Excellence Handbook above.