Senior Spotlight: Jacob Ross – Sooner Esports

Jacob “Oculus” Ross, community and labs manager and graduate assistant, is graduating from OU with a Master’s in Business Administration and looks to become the second full-time employee of OU Esports and Co-Curricular Innovation.

Ross started his collegiate esports journey as a Rocket League player for Slug Esports at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he spent his first year of undergraduate studies. Upon transferring to OU, he joined the Rocket League team, eventually transitioning to a role as a Rocket League ambassador.

With a passion for community, Ross once contemplated pursuing a career as a school counselor. He took on the role of assistant community and labs manager at OU Esports during the second semester of his senior year.

Upon obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from OU in 2023, Ross was uncertain about his next steps. It was then that Mike Aguilar, Director of OU ECCI, encouraged Ross to pursue an MBA and join him full-time as the community and labs manager for OU ECCI. As he entered graduate school, he was promoted to the lead community and labs manager position.

“I never imagined myself in a business role until this opportunity arose,” Ross mentioned. “Pursuing an MBA was never part of my plans, but it brings a lot of pressure. However, I couldn’t pass up this chance.”