Graduate Assistant Spotlight: Promise Iheanacho

As a doctoral candidate in sports management, Promise Iheanacho aims to examine opportunities and representation for racial minorities within his focus on Esports and Organizational Change. 

From Abia State in Nigeria, Promise Iheanacho came to the School of Kinesiology following his passions. Choosing to move to Minnesota was not without its complications, but the knowledge that he would be able to pursue his research interests alongside colleagues and community who care for others and want their peers to succeed made the decision easier.

With his advisor Dr. Landy Lu, Promise focuses on investigating organizational change in the field of Esports relative to the experiences of racial minorities in collegiate Esports programs as a whole.

In his own words: “For my research on Esports, I'm trying to examine the experiences of racial minorities in collegiate Esports programs in terms of their pathways to entry, opportunities, and barriers with the aim of influencing leaders in those programs to implement better policies that can help increase representation. The overall goal is to ensure that racial minorities have equal opportunities to participate and succeed in Esports without any bias or discrimination.” 

Here at the School of Kinesiology, Promise assists with the delivery of three courses as a teaching assistant. Using his background and experiences in sports, he helps provide feedback and assistance to the students and professors with whom he works. One of his genuine interests is the development of young people relative to sport; and as a TA, he has a great opportunity to cultivate his ideas in further support of his research. 

In his time here, Promise has also been awarded the 2024 Edith Mueller Endowed Fund Scholarship for Graduate Education in the Tucker Center, as well as a 2024 Dissertation Proposal Development Program Grant. 

During his free time, Promise has a passion for cooking, spending time with friends and family, and taking in as much sport material as he can, especially University of Minnesota sporting events. An avid Manchester United fan, here in the states you are most likely to find him cheering on the players at a women’s soccer game. 

Welcoming, patient, and committed, Promise Iheanacho radiates the School of Kinesiology’s values of excellence and belonging.