Leveling Up: McKenzie Mowoe Graduates from Texas Southern with Esports Leadership and Purpose

When McKenzie Mowoe crossed the graduation stage at Texas Southern University, she did more than receive a Master of Arts in Professional Communication and Digital Media, she marked the culmination of an academic journey shaped by innovation, drive, and community impact.

A native of DeSoto, Texas, Mowoe has been accelerating her education from the start. She earned her associate’s degree through an early college high school program before completing her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in communications at Miles College, a fellow HBCU in Birmingham, Alabama. Now, as a graduate of Texas Southern, she adds another milestone to her growing list of accomplishments.

While earning her master’s degree, Mowoe made her mark on campus as a Graduate Assistant in the Marketing and Communications department. But her most visible legacy comes from founding the Tiger Strider Gaming Club, the university’s first esports organization.

Gaming has long been a personal passion for Mowoe. From playing on a PlayStation 2 as a child to joining an esports executive board in college, she discovered the powerful potential of competitive gaming, especially for Black gamers, early on. At Texas Southern, she turned that passion into a platform, launching a student-led organization that built bridges with industry partners and introduced a new layer of campus engagement.

“I’ve been able to use everything I’ve learned here—strategic communication, networking, outreach—to help grow the program,” she said.

With graduation behind her, Mowoe is already preparing for what’s next: a summer internship with a global sports tech company and career interests in program management, partnerships, and content creation. She also plans to continue growing her presence in media and esports.

Reflecting on her time at Texas Southern, Mowoe credits the people around her as instrumental to her personal and professional growth. “TSU gave me opportunities, but more importantly, it surrounded me with genuine people who care, who helped me navigate challenges, and who helped mold me into the woman I am today.”

For Mowoe, success isn’t just measured by accolades or offers, it’s rooted in reflection and resilience. “Success is appreciating the good and the bad, even when the result isn’t what you expected,” she shared. “It’s about growth—seeing where you were a few days ago and how far you’ve come.”