Can you tell me about your professional background and what inspired you to join the Project Operations team at OPAIR?
My professional background began in speech-language pathology, where I developed skills in designing engaging learning experiences, coaching adults, and analyzing data to improve outcomes. My passion for helping others grow led me to instructional design, where I combined creativity, technical expertise, and a learner-focused approach to create impactful training for adult learners.
I’ve always enjoyed solving problems and using data to inform effective solutions. That’s why I was drawn to the Office of Planning, Assessment and Institutional Research (OPAIR)—a team where data, research, and continuous improvement are central to every project. What truly stood out to me, though, was OPAIR’s collaborative and supportive team culture. This became especially clear during my interview and confirmed that OPAIR is the ideal place for me to contribute to a team and continue to grow as an instructional designer.
What is your day-to-day routine as an Instructional Designer?
Every day as an Instructional Designer at OPAIR is different, which I really enjoy. My routine depends on the stage of each project—some days I’m designing resources like a quick start guide for Foreign Gift Reporting or a decision tree for Professional Licensure/Certification (PLC), while other days I’m gathering feedback from Subject Matter Experts or end users. If a project is on hold, I focus on other projects that can move forward, such as reviewing content to update and improve the training resources found on RADAR. I also spend time in meetings to collaborate, clarify content, and ensure our training materials are clear and effective. This variety keeps my work creative, purposeful, and engaging.
How do you prefer to relax or spend your time outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. We love going on outdoor adventures together, whether going on a walk on our local walking trails and parks, heading out to a local nature preserve to watch the buffalo, or going to a local farm to pick fruits and vegetables. I’m also a hobbyist photographer and love capturing and telling the visual stories of our lives and experiences. Photography allows me to blend creativity with storytelling, a passion that extends into my personal and professional life.
Can you explain your process for collaborating with team members on projects?
Collaboration varies with each project I work on. Some projects require regular meetings with teammates to coordinate next steps and keep things moving forward, while others are more streamlined and rely on just a few check-ins, with most communication happening through messages or email. Throughout each project, I maintain open lines of communication—sharing drafts, soliciting feedback, and making multiple iterations as needed. I adapt my approach based on the needs of the team and the project, always ensuring there are clear channels for questions, feedback, and updates so everyone stays informed and engaged.
What are some of your favorite projects or accomplishments during your time at OPAIR?
Although I’ve only been with OPAIR for about six months and am still integrating into the team and Penn State, I’m excited about the projects I’ve worked on and the opportunities ahead to continue to support OPAIR and make an impact.
So far, I’ve especially enjoyed using creativity to transform complex, technical content into clear, practical resources for staff. For example, with the Foreign Gift Reporting quick start guide, I took a complicated process and made it into a concise, visually engaging reference that helps users quickly understand their responsibilities and deadlines. Many projects I’m working on are still in progress, so I’m especially excited to see how the resources will help users once fully implemented.