Scholarship Spotlight: Inspiring Future Video Game Creators

How do you turn your daydream into your dream job? At EA Orlando, we always look for ways to support students – creating opportunity and access for everyone – as they progress toward a career they love.

Our studios worldwide are committed to inclusive hiring, talent development and building a talent pipeline of students with different backgrounds and experiences to ensure our games authentically represent our global player community. One of the ways we do this is by investing in scholarship programs to help support students pursuing science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) and related education pathways.   

“Building our talent pipeline starts with creating better access to education and experiences, so that every student has a chance to succeed,” said Jocel Thornhill, director operations & program management at EA Tiburon. “We hope these scholarships unlock a world of new possibilities for students so they can leverage their unique skill sets to inspire the next generation of play.”

Learn more about several EA-backed scholarships below. 

As part of the John Madden Legacy Commitment to Education, we partner with United Negro College Fund on the EA Madden Scholarship Program to support talented students from select Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The program provides students with merit-based financial support, mentoring, career readiness support and a unique EA experience. 

In Orlando, we hosted the 2024 scholarship recipients for EA Madden Scholar Day for the ultimate behind-the-scenes tour at our studio in the Creative Village. Students saw first-hand the people, creators, and technology behind the Madden franchise. Through networking events, career preparation workshops, panels with special speakers, and engagement with EA employees, students were inspired about the future of gaming and interactive entertainment and their pathway into the industry. 

Congratulations to the 24 students selected for the 2024 Madden Scholarship Program: 

• Clark Atlanta University
  • Chloe Jackson
  • Acacia Lofton
  • Olivia Okagbare 
• Florida A&M University
  • Jinelle Brewster
  • Howard Smith
  • Benjamin Lawson
• Howard University
  • Myles Block
  • Hunter Holley
  • Niya Traynham
• Morehouse College
  • Kenneth Ugo 
  • Jelani Massey
  • Troy Boxton
• North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
  • Marques Kidd
  • Taylor Crosland
  • Makayla Allen
• Prairie View A&M University
  • Shaleese Nuckols
  • Omar El Miloudi
  • DeVaughn Pryor
• Southern University and A&M College
  • Khloe Beal
  • Michael Black
  • Taylor Curtis
• Spelman College
  • Whitley Walton
  • Haniyah Hakim
  • Milan Rozier

"My experience as both an intern and a scholarship recipient with Electronic Arts has been transformative, providing invaluable opportunities for growth and learning,” said Benjamin Lawson, a former EA intern and one of three FAMU recipients of the Madden Scholarship Program for 2024. “Through EA, I've gained practical experience and developed a deep understanding of the intersection of technology, security, and gaming, shaping a career path dedicated to leveraging my skills in cybersecurity for positive change.”

To find out more about careers at EA. 

Our team was thrilled to celebrate the 2023 recipients of the EA Inclusion in Gaming Endowed Scholarship at the University of Central Florida (UCF) last fall. First established in 2021, this endowed scholarship recognizes students who have overcome adversity and/or are striving for the inclusion of others who have been historically underrepresented in the profession. 

The 2023 recipients included Willow Rachels, a Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) graduate student, and Ethan Branham, a Digital Media undergraduate student.  

In the fall of 2023, we welcomed both Willow and Ethan to our studio for a behind-the-scenes tour and lunch with EA team members so they could continue learning more about careers in the digital media and interactive entertainment industry. Marissa Manley, another FIEA graduate student and past EA scholarship recipient, also joined them for the visit. 

“EA has helped shape the next generation of developers, filmmakers, artists, and digital entrepreneurs at UCF for nearly two decades,” said Ben Noel, executive director at FIEA and director of innovation and partnership at the UCF Nicholson School of Communication and Media. “We are incredibly proud of our partnership and the opportunities, like the EA Inclusion in Gaming Endowed Scholarship, that successfully open doors for our students to pursue careers in interactive entertainment.”

Interested in applying for this scholarship or know a student who would be a great fit? Keep an eye out during the spring semester for the application via UCF’s Access to Opportunities Portal.

In 2022, EA Orlando partnered with Montverde Academy (MVA), to launch a new program in the Educational Technology and Innovation Center at the school, “EA SPORTS Gaming at MVA.” 

Available to students enrolled in the Upper School, the program complements core curricula with an emphasis on the applications of STEAM in digital media and interactive entertainment. Students accepted to the special program learn foundational concepts like game design theory, story/character development, coding and more. Participants also gain access to industry role models and mentorship through connections and hands-on lessons from EA Orlando team members. 

To eliminate the barriers that would otherwise prevent some students from participating, each year, a select number of eligible “EA SPORTS Scholars” receive financial aid to offset the cost of tuition based upon a demonstrated need for support.

“This partnership builds upon our ongoing efforts to increase exposure and access among students from

different backgrounds as we inspire them to become electronic artists of the future,” said Daryl Holt, senior vice president at EA SPORTS and general manager for the EA Tiburon development studios in Orlando, Austin and Madrid. “We hope this program will ignite a passion for gaming among students who participate and empower them to pursue careers at EA SPORTS.”

Montverde Academy students and program participants Lyla Fulcher-Vargas and Isaiah Molina shared their experiences with us. See what they had to say about their time in the program:

“My experience at the ‘EA SPORTS Gaming at MVA’ program has exceeded my expectations. The program means very much to me. It’s exercising my ability to manage my time, be a productive student, and sometimes, a leader in the team’s regard. I am confident to say that these skills are setting me up for a very bright future in my chosen profession.”

“My experience in the program has been enjoyable. The work that is given to us also gives me a good insight into future jobs open to me and, to me, that part seems cool. The program has played a big part in my life by helping me find a group of people I can feel comfortable with and enjoy passing time with. The program work that we get assigned helps me see different branches of the gaming industry and helps me see what I enjoy the most. It also sets me up with experience in these different branches. Overall, it shows me what I can achieve in the future with this program.”

View the EA SPORTS Gaming at MVA course overview and learn more about how to apply for the program.

Over the years, our scholarship recipients have empowered us to continue imagining new worlds and new ways to bring together gamers from multiple backgrounds and experiences. 

We are incredibly proud of the scholarship recipients who have and will continue to shape the future of our industry. Through the power of play, we are proud to expand access to education, championing inclusivity and inspiring creativity for all. 

To learn more about EA’s commitment to social impact, including student scholarships, visit www.ea.com/commitments/social-impact and to find more about careers at EA, visit https://www.ea.com/en-gb/careers.