Learning Designer
2023
My career journey
My path to instructional design has been anything but linear, but every step along the way has shaped my approach to teaching and learning. I started my career in 2003 as a college instructor, later earning my Ph.D. in 2014 with research focused on human rights, ethnicity, and gender in Peru. In 2017, I transitioned from face-to-face teaching to fully online courses. This shift pushed me to rethink not just how I taught, but how students learn in digital spaces. I immersed myself in workshops and training, determined to design courses that were engaging, clear, and accessible — especially for students who had been underserved or felt unprepared for college.
In 2019, I took a break from higher ed and worked as a success coach for seniors in an online high school. Seeing firsthand the challenges students faced in online learning deepened my commitment to thoughtful course design and student support. I came to appreciate the flexibility and opportunities that online education offers when designed with care. By the time I stepped into my first instructional design role in 2021, I had a strong foundation in teaching, mentoring, and collaboration. Now, I work closely with faculty to create courses that empower students, making online spaces just as engaging and effective as the best face-to-face classrooms.
My inspiration
My interest in learning design and online education grew out of both necessity and curiosity. When I transitioned from face-to-face teaching to fully online courses in 2017, I quickly realized that effective online learning required more than just transferring content to a digital format — it demanded intentional design, clear structure, and a deep understanding of how students engage in virtual spaces. Later, as a success coach for an online high school, I witnessed the impact of well-designed digital learning environments on student confidence and motivation. These experiences solidified my belief that online education, when done well, can provide flexibility, accessibility, and engagement equal to — or even greater than — traditional classrooms.
Where I’m from/Where I am at
Originally from Chicago, I’ve called quite a few places “home” over the years — five states since 2006! People often assume my partner is in the military, but the real culprit behind our frequent moves is academia. His career has taken us across the country, chasing opportunities until we finally landed in Michigan. Now, we’re happily settled in our forever home, close to family and exactly where we want to be.
My interests outside of work
Outside of work, I love lacing up my running shoes and hitting the treadmill (too many injuries to run much outside anymore!). At home, you’ll often find me in the kitchen baking with my kids — usually something sweet and gluten-free — or experimenting with vegetarian recipes that (hopefully) satisfy most of my picky eaters. When it’s time to unwind, I reach for a good book (the librarians know me by name) or settle in for a binge-watch session — horror films, mysteries, or baking shows, depending on who’s within earshot.
Rewards of my job
There are so many things I love about my job, but the most rewarding part is hearing from an instructor after a course we’ve designed has run. I love getting their perspective on how it went — what worked well, how students engaged, and what could be improved. Knowing that our collaboration has made a tangible difference in the learning experience is incredibly fulfilling, and I appreciate the opportunity to keep refining and enhancing courses based on real-world feedback.