Student Advisory Board

Meet ReWired Fest’s Student Advisory Board, eight of University of Arkansas’s (UARK) brightest and most talented students. The board will be advising on ReWired programming as well as spearheading campus networking and outreach. They will also take an active role during the festival weekend. Drawing from a diverse background, the Student Advisory Board is one of ReWired Fest’s greatest assets.

Gabriel

Thomas

Hi there! I’m Gabe! I’m a Sophomore majoring in Industrial Engineering, Criminology, and Sociology. I have loved video games and computer technology since I got my first video game console at 7. Since I began attending UARK, esports has been a big passion for me. I have been on the Overwatch team during my tenure and I have done my best to use my identity as a bisexual man to promote LGBTQIA+ inclusion in every part of esports I can. I am so excited to see what we can do with ReWired Fest to promote D&I in the esports space so everyone can feel welcome!

Paige

McGaughy

Hi! My name is Paige. I am a graduate student studying Strategic Advertising and Public Relations. I served as the first female President of UARK Gaming and UARK Esports last year. I am currently working on my master’s thesis to determine if higher skill levels in video games correlate with being less sexist.

Pranav

Mahesh

Hello, my name is Pranav Mahesh and I’m going to be a sophomore majoring in Computer Science. Currently I’m the secretary of UARK esports. I am from India and moved to the States in 2018. I’ve always loved video games and started off from Wii to PS4 and still enjoy playing different games but mostly I play rocket league. I actively compete in collegiate rocket league tournaments for both, the competitive aspect and for fun. I’m really excited to see what all we could do here!

Julian

Lapicz

My name is Julian Lapicz and I am a student at the University of Arkansas pursuing a major in Hospitality Management and a minor in Event Planning. I am 23 and an Arkansas native through and through. I have lived in Fayetteville for 6 years and love all Northwest Arkansas has to offer. I love to spend my time diving deep into my passions of listening to music and playing video games. Before I graduate, I plan to spend my time gather and obtaining all the event/concert experience that I can. This so dreams become realities.

Deanna

Tran

Hi, My name is Deanna! I will be starting my junior year in the fall at the University of Arkansas majoring in Biology. Video Games have always been a huge part of my life. I’ve been involved in Esports ever since my senior year of high school when I began playing competitively and ended up winning the League of Legends Arkansas State Tournament with my teammates. This led me to playing on the League team for UARK, becoming a manager soon after, and now the incoming President for Esports and Gaming at UARK! I hope to make an impact on our community’s diversity and engagement by being involved with Rewired Fest!

Austin

Rodriguez

My name is Austin Rodriguez, and I will be on the student advisory board for ReWired Fest. I am heading into my Junior year at the University of Arkansas, studying Computer Science and German. I am also the team captain of my school’s Overwatch team. I have a passion toward the future of esports because I believe it is a great way to get students more involved with other students on campus. I am also interested in the field of game design, as I have grown up playing many video games and think a career in that field would be amazing. I believe diversity and engagement from the community is crucial for setting off this event, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact and awareness an event like this could give to the gaming and esports sector.

Ivris

Raymond

Hi, I’m Ivris Raymond. I’m a rising senior at the University of Arkansas studying Computer Engineering. I am the president of our AISES chapter at UARK. I also have played MMO-RPG games and MOBAs for a long time now, and I’ve been taking electronics apart and *mostly* remembering how to put them back together for even longer. I’m excited to help ReWired Fest be an event people want to get involved in!

Anthony

Tello

Hi! My name is Anthony, and I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering at UARK. I’ll be the graphics manager for UARK Gaming and Esports this next year. As I grew up, game designs sparked my imagination and tempted me into the field of art. Using games as a source of creativity, I began making fanarts traditionally and eventually digitally. I hope to use my skills to motivate others into the community and to share that same spark I experienced!