In the early 2000s, becoming a Raid Leader and a Guild Master helped our guest, Michael “Moog” Aguilar, overcome not only his introverted nature but also his social anxiety. It also taught him how important it is for any community to feel wanted and welcomed, regardless of whatever adjective society puts over their heads. 

Fast forward many years, when the University of Oklahoma journey started for Michael, he knew the epicenter of anything he would build must be the community. He took the burden of trying to satisfy gamers’ needs; whether they were causals, competitive, Animal Crossing, or Halo, he would listen and make space for them, physical or digital.

Michael Aguilar is the Director of Esports & Co-Curricular Innovation at the University of Oklahoma and the Esports Curriculum Developer & Adjunct Instructor at Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Michael holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and an MBA in Technology Management Focus from the University of Phoenix.

We had a fantastic conversation about the gaming community, gaming and esports’ career paths opportunities, and the University of Oklahoma’s six pillars of intention in which they based their gaming and esports programs. We also discuss the importance of vulnerability in leadership, the keys to building an engaged community that feels heard and seen, esports and gaming degrees, and how challenging it is for him to be the translator between the university’s administrators and students gamers. 

Resources:

Visit Esports & Gaming at OU website: https://www.ou.edu/esports

Follow them on all social media platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ouesports1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ouesports/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ouesports

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ouesports

Or connect with Michael on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maaguilar/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MoogDiesel?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moogdiesel/?hl=es

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Full Episode Breakdown

2:46 – Michael talks about students latching into esports from traditional sports and vice versa. 

6:37 – Michael comments on gamers and esports athletes and their closer relationship with wellness. 

9:05 – Michael goes back to his beginnings as a gamer, from his first Attari to becoming a Guild Master in World of Warcraft. He also highlights the influence of his past as a gamer in his leadership style.

12:45 – Michael talks about the three different metrics he uses as a guideline for his work at OU. Students’ voice, mission, and what the industry is doing.

17:33 – John and Michael discuss the importance of humble leadership, and accepting, as leaders, that we don’t have all the answers. 

22:38 – Michale describes his experiences as the translator between the university’s administrators and students gamers.

25:25 – Michael talks about demonstrating to university leaders the value of having an esports team on their campus. 

33:16 – Michael shares the keys to building a cohesive community.

38:16 – Michael talks about his experience incorporating Discord into the university’s communication channels.

43:11 – John and Michael talk about creating esports and gaming degrees and the influence high-level education diplomas have on successful careers.

50:11 – Michale shares his thoughts on what metric he uses to measure his students’ success in the industry. 

56:41 – Michael talks about the lack of support gamers are used to and how it usually makes them hunk down and get things done. He also reflects on the need for guidance and coaching for those students.