Clint Kennedy, Ph.D.
Updated July 2026
Education leader with a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and over 20 years scaling K–12, higher education, and international programs through cross-sector partnerships with public agencies, nonprofits, publishers, and educator and youth networks. Proven record stewarding multi-million-dollar federal grants, designing multi-year regional strategy aligned to donor intent, and convening advisory groups across complex stakeholder ecosystems. Grounded in a belief that expanding access for every learner is the real work, shaped by peer-reviewed research on digital learning gaps and a long habit of translating program outcomes into evidence and stories that move educators, funders, and the press.
Experience
Collaborate with the Superintendent and Board of Education to design, build, and implement curriculum, instruction, and assessment programs leveraging educational technology across interdistrict-themed magnet schools and our International Baccalaureate program. Manage and direct a team of 13 IT professionals overseeing the technical day-to-day operations of a large comprehensive public school district. Manage 7 Library Media Specialists providing support and guidance for resource procurement, program design, and curriculum and instruction. Co-wrote and manage a multi-million-dollar federal grants program. Responsible for all IT-related planning, budget, vendor management, and systems design.
The International Esports Federation (IESF) is the global governing body for national esports federations, established in 2008 to promote esports as a legitimate sport and to unify member nations through international competitions such as the annual World Esports Championship. As a Board member, I provide strategic oversight of IESF's vision and policies, guide the development of global esports standards and tournaments, and ensure that initiatives advance integrity, inclusivity, and the long-term growth of the international esports ecosystem.
Board Member for the international non-profit Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations (NASEF), and Managing Director for the United States Esports Federation (USEF.gg), a subsidiary of NASEF. The NASEF mission is to provide opportunities for all students to use esports as a platform to acquire the critical communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in work and life. USEF.gg is the governing body for international esports competitions conducted by the IESF and GEF.
Led the development of core product offerings, including curriculum design and platform roadmaps, while spearheading growth strategy and partnership management across North America.
Provided strategic leadership across two primary business units as a trusted advisor to mission-driven stakeholders, specializing in business development and education management. As Chief Liaison to national sanctioning bodies, partnered with the NFHS and its member associations to harmonize national requirements with local program delivery and ensure systemic alignment. This extended to serving as the de facto Commissioner for all state-based leagues — both partnered and non-partnered — maintaining competitive integrity and governance across the ecosystem. Architected a diverse portfolio of high-impact partnerships with technology resellers, esports facilities, and higher education institutions pioneering competitive programs and academic degree pathways.
Accountable for the design, build, and operational effectiveness of the overall IT strategy and educational technology solutions for the first truly modern and global institution serving students from age 3 to 18. Areas of focus included institutional communication, administrative and operational systems, and advisory, personalized-learning, and other instructional systems.
Responsible for designing, developing, and implementing systems for curriculum, instruction, and assessment across four magnet pathways, PK–12: STEM, the Arts, Leadership, and Language and Culture. Managed and oversaw the district-wide technology department.
Performed the leadership role for the district technology department and served as the administrator responsible for integrating technology and learning. Reported to the Superintendent and worked closely with the Board of Education.
Institute of Education Sciences (IES) research grant, "Assessing Online Reading Comprehension: The ORCA Project" (Leu, Kulikowich, Sedransk, Coiro, 2008) — a four-year federal research grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education's IES. Directed test administration and scoring, was a major contributor to assessment development and data analysis, conducted statistical analysis, and led manuscript development for several studies.
Education
Teaching
- Technological Enhancements to STEM Education (EPSY 5223), University of Connecticut
- Technology for Teaching and Learning (EDCI 5825), University of Connecticut
- New Literacies Research and Practice (EDCI 5198), University of Connecticut (Online)
- Technology for Learners (EDUC 536), University of Saint Joseph
- Computers in the Classroom: Instructional Integration (EDUC 570), University of Saint Joseph
- Integrating Technology and Literacy (EDUC 583), University of Saint Joseph
Honors
- With Life Fellow, 2025 (selected)
- NASEF Fellow, 2020–2021
- Neag Fellow, New Literacies Research Lab, 2011–2014
Service
- Planning & Zoning Commission, Town of Groton, 2024–Present
- Board of Directors, Affinity Esports, 2023–Present
- Board of Advisors, Shenandoah University Esports Program, 2019–2023
- Fund for Teachers Reviewer, 2017 & 2018
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills, Exemplar Schools Evaluator, 2014
- Routledge Book Reviewer, 2013
- LRA Area 10: Literacy, Technology and Media Reviewer, 2012
- Doctoral Student Guest Reviewer, Reading Research Quarterly, 2011 & 2012
- Doctoral Student Guest Reviewer, Learning and Instruction, 2011
- Board of Education member, Town of Groton, CT, 2002–2004
Certifications
- Connecticut Professional Administration and Supervision — 092
- Connecticut School Business Administrator — 085
Affiliations
- International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
- New England Research Association (NERA)
- International Esports Federation (IESF)
- Global Esports Federation (GEF)
- Cable Television Advisory Council of Southeastern CT
- GO "Get Outdoors" Groton Advisory Board (Founding Board Member)
Research
Articles & Book Chapters
Hedlund, D. P., Jenny, S. E., & Fried, G. (Eds.). (2025). Esports Business Management (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics. (Chapter 5, Esports Governance, Fried & Kennedy)
Forzani, E., Kennedy, C., & Leu, D. J. (2021). Providing Classroom Leadership in New Literacies: Preparing Students for Their Future. In S. B. Wepner & D. J. Quatroche (Eds.), The Administration and Supervision of Literacy Programs (6th ed., pp. 198–209). Teachers College Press.
Kennedy, C., & Castellan, A. (2020). The State of High School Esports in the United States. In D. Hedlund, G. Fried, & R. Smith (Eds.), Esports Business Management (1st ed.). Human Kinetics.
Kennedy, C., Rhoads, C., & Leu, D. J. (2016). Online research and learning in science: A one-to-one laptop comparison in two states using performance-based assessments. Computers & Education, 100, 141–161.
Leu, D. J., Forzani, E., & Kennedy, C. (2015). Income Inequality and the Online Reading Gap. The Reading Teacher, 68(6), 422–427.
Plucker, J. A., Kennedy, C., & Dilley, A. (2015). What we know about collaboration [P21 Research Series]. Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
Dilley, A., Kaufman, J. C., Kennedy, C., & Plucker, J. A. (2015). What we know about critical thinking [P21 Research Series]. Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
Leu, D. J., Forzani, E., Rhoads, C., Maykel, C., Kennedy, C., & Timbrell, N. (2015). The new literacies of online research and comprehension: Rethinking the reading achievement gap. Reading Research Quarterly, 50(1), 37–59.
Leu, D. J., Forzani, E., & Kennedy, C. (2013). Providing classroom leadership in new literacies: Preparing students for their future. In S. B. Wepner, D. S. Strickland, & D. Quatroche (Eds.), The Administration and Supervision of Reading Programs (5th ed., pp. 200–213). Teachers College Press.
Coiro, J., & Kennedy, C. (2011). The Online Reading Comprehension Assessment (ORCA) project: Preparing students for common core standards and 21st century literacies. White paper (U.S. Department of Education, Award Nos. R305G050154 and R305A090608).
Presented Papers
Leu, D. J., Kulikowich, J., Sedransk, N., Coiro, J., Forzani, E., Kennedy, C., & Maykel, C. (2014, April). The ORCA Project: Designing Technology-based Assessments for Online Research, Comprehension, and Communication. American Educational Research Association, Philadelphia, PA.
Forzani, E., Maykel, C., & Kennedy, C. (2013, December). How Well Do Students Judge Their Ability to Critically Evaluate Online Information? Literacy Research Association, Dallas, TX.
Joo, J., & Kennedy, C. (2013, October). Analysis of the Current Trends and Potential of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for 21st Century Learning and Teaching. 44th Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Educational Research Association, Rocky Hill, CT.
Leu, D. J., Forzani, E., Maykel, C., Kennedy, C., & Timbrell, N. (2013, October). Preparing Our Students in New Ways for New Times. Keynote, Connecticut Reading Association Conference, Cromwell, CT.
Kennedy, C. (2012, November). Comparing Representative State Samples of Students' Ability to Conduct Online Research and Communicate Information: A One-to-One Laptop State vs. a State Without One-to-One Laptops. Literacy Research Association Conference, San Diego, CA.
Keynotes, Invited Talks & Presentations
Kennedy, C., & Risley, A. (2020, May). Esports: Opportunities & Implications for School District Technology Leaders. Pre-conference workshop, CoSN Conference 2020.
Maykel, C., Timbrell, N., & Kennedy, C. (2014, December). Using New Literacies to Teach New Literacies. Literacy Research Association Conference, Marco Island, FL.
Kennedy, C. (2014, March). Comparing Representative State Samples of Students' Ability to Conduct Online Research and Communicate Information. The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
Kennedy, C. (2013, May). Successes and Challenges of a District-wide iPad Implementation. Keynote panel, Teaching and Learning with iPads Conference, UConn Neag School of Education, Storrs, CT.
Leu, D. J., Kulikowich, J. M., Sedransk, N., Coiro, J., Cui, W., Forzani, E., Maykel, C., & Kennedy, C. (2013, April). The ORCA Project: Online Research and Comprehension Assessments. Showcase address, IES Principal Investigators Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Press
- Esports & Education: Why Esports? — PlayVS
- A new generation of high school athletes will play eSports — Engadget
- Connecticut Becomes First State to Join EGF's High School Esports League — The Esports Observer
- Esports programs are coming to high schools, starting with Connecticut — Mashable
- These kids are playing video games at school — and learning teamwork, critical thinking — The Day