Dr. Kaitlyn Roose is the Director and Head Coach of Esports at Michigan Tech. Since launching in 2019, Michigan Tech’s varsity esports program has seen tremendous success under Kaitlyn’s leadership, including 3 championship titles (NACE Spring 2021 CS:GO, MEC Fall 2020 Overwatch, and NACE Fall 2022 Rocket League), and playoff appearances every year since debut. Kaitlyn holds both her master’s degree and Ph.D. in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors. Kaitlyn has used her education to publish research providing insight on decision-making and problem-solving in video games.

She’s on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Collegiate Esports, a board member of the Michigan High School Esports League, and teaches youth programs focused on the psychology of gaming as well as content creation. As a lifelong gamer, a former D2 student-athlete, and a current competitive player, her passion for esports goes beyond competition. She works in the space with the firm philosophy that, “Esports knows no bounds” and it is truly an opportunity to become a place of true inclusion, a celebration of diversity, and an avenue for holistic development for people. She continues to serve on esports panels, conferences, and events, with a goal of showing young girls that there is a place for them in the gaming space.