Michael Kvidahl, NJSBA quality control specialist, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for Garden State Esports.
A nonprofit founded by educators, Garden State Esports is the organizing body of scholastic esports for New Jersey. Their mission is to create high-quality, student-centered experiences through scholastic esports so that all students can use esports as a platform to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. Garden State Esports transforms students’ passion for gaming into career-readiness by leveraging esports to deliver Work-Based Learning (WBL) to schools and students. The program, which has grown to over 400 school and 12,000 students, provides hands-on experiences aligned with New Jersey’s career readiness standards, equipping students with real-world skills across the Arts, Entertainment, and Design & STEM career clusters.
A longtime NJSBA staff member, Kvidahl has been with the NJSBA for 11 years, serving in several marketing positions for the NJSBA prior to his current role in Quality Control.
Passionate about esports, Kvidahl recognizes its impact on students. “Scholastic esports are about far more than playing video games; they open the door to real-world career pathways and create a space for students who may not otherwise participate in traditional team activities. From engineering and audio and video production to graphic design and emerging technologies, the esports ecosystem exposes students to thousands of in-demand roles. I’m thrilled to join the Board of Directors of Garden State Esports and support work that helps schools connect student interests to meaningful educational and career opportunities.”
Dr. Timothy Purnell, NJSBA Executive Director, is confident in Kvidahl’s ability to lead in his new role. “I am incredibly proud of Michael for his appointment to the Esports board. His dedication to quality and excellence makes him an outstanding representative, and I have no doubt he will make a meaningful impact in this role,” Purnell said.
The NJSBA congratulates Michael Kvidahl on his appointment.
