ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., (August 22, 2024) – Today, AISES – Advancing Indigenous People in STEM announced that it has enlisted FanDuel, North America’s premier online gaming company, as a new partner who will promote Indian country workforce development in the STEM fields and its importance for the gaming industry’s future. AISES is a premiere organization facilitating access and success for Indian country in the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines. Its decades-long leadership role in Indian country to create opportunities for the community in the fields of innovation and technology is unmatched.
“AISES stands as an unparalleled leader in advancing Indigenous people in STEM,” said Sarah EchoHawk, AISES President. “By forging vital relationships in sectors like gaming—a cornerstone of economic and workforce development for many tribal communities—we are not just empowering future generations; we are solidifying our role as a formidable force for tribal sovereignty. Our partnership with FanDuel underscores our mutual dedication to elevating Indigenous talent in STEM, and together, we’re poised to unlock new opportunities in the gaming industry.”
This partnership is a recognition by national and industry leaders of the opportunity for workforce development and job creation in Indian country across the STEM fields. AISES brings a well-established and large footprint of chapters and individual members from across the United States and Canada. FanDuel is the industry leader in U.S. online sports betting with over 3,500 employees and a relationship with its parent company Flutter, a global gaming company with brands across the world. The partnership creates a unique opportunity to encourage STEM jobs in online gaming to communities in Indian Country. FanDuel continues to recognize the watershed growth in innovation that exists in the gaming industry today, and the vital leadership role tribal governments’ gaming operations have and will continue to play in this growth.
This unique partnership includes support specifically for the Resources for Indigenous STEM Education (RISE) Program to promote STEM careers in the rapidly growing industry of gaming through; Travel support available to students, professionals, and other AISES members, for innovative and key gatherings for the gaming industry; Financial support for students interested in the casino gaming industry; Partnering with gaming industry leaders to learn about insights on STEM Careers in Gaming; and Mentorship opportunities available to help make connections and promote industry networking.
“Indian gaming is a powerful tribal economic development tool in many tribal communities and often a keystone feature of sustainable job creation,” said Sequoyah Simermeyer, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at FanDuel. “FanDuel recognizes that there is a wealth of talent in the nearly 250 gaming tribes in the United States and is proud to work with AISES to help tribal communities develop skills in STEM that will create job opportunities and improve lives for future generations.”
As part of its partnership, FanDuel is proud to be a marquee sponsor of the Annual AISES Conference in San Antonio, TX from October 3-5 where over 3,000 attendees are expected. FanDuel will be joining a broad cross-section of various technology industry recruiters at the AISES job fair. As the largest and one of the few recruiters from the gaming industry to ever participate in the conference’s national job fair, FanDuel looks forward to the Annual Conference as a launching point to demonstrate its dedication to promoting career opportunities among Indian country and educate around the vital role STEM disciplines play in online sports betting’s future.
If you are traveling to the AISES National Conference, please check out “RISE UP panel of experts” – In this session, RISE affiliated professionals will gather to share their expertise, wisdom, experiences, and connections in the gaming industry. RISE Panelists include Hai Ng, Frances Alvarez, Kordell Schrock, and Drew Shimkowski.
Link for more info: Agenda | AISES National Conference
To learn more about these opportunities, please visit: Resources for Indigenous STEM Education (RISE)