Instructional Design/Academic Technology Leadership
Jesse B. Stallsworth
University of Kentucky Information Technology Services - Beyond Blue
Lexington,KY
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeConsultingLocation Preference
RemoteImportant To Me
Career advancementCompany CultureHealthcare benefitsWork from home option14
Years of total experience
5
Certifications
Summary
Forward-thinking academic technology leader with a strong higher education foundation, specializing in scalable learning solutions that drive student success. Proven track record of aligning instructional technology with institutional goals, collaborating with stakeholders to enhance learning outcomes, and driving continuous academic improvement.
Work History
Information Technology Consultant
14 Years 2 Months- Serve as a Moodle administrator for a private client
- Design course materials for five-plus graduate-level courses and multiple undergraduate-level courses
- Develop unique learning experiences that enhance engagement and comprehension for graduate students
- Implement instructional technologies based on client needs assessments
- Provide high-level instructional technology support for clients
- Developed tailored IT solutions to optimize client operations and enhance productivity.
- Provide solutions aligned with Microsoft Office architecture and business needs
- Create curricula and research topics and conceptualized course format, subject matter, and presentation
- Design websites according to client needs
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of client IT systems to identify areas for improvement.
- Advised clients on IT infrastructure strategy, aligning technology decisions with business priorities.
Applications Analyst
3 Months- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement software solutions aligned with institutional goals
- Streamline processes for application support, reducing response times and increasing efficiency by 50%
- Analyzed application data and liaised with vendors to enhance user experience
- Develop training materials and conduct workshops for faculty on application best practices
- Evaluate emerging technologies to recommend strategic enhancements in application performance
- Provided exceptional end-user support, resolving technical issues quickly and efficiently.
- Championed adoption of new technologies and methodologies within team, enhancing innovation and continuous improvement culture.
- Identified thousands of dollars in potential cost-saving opportunities through the evaluation and utilization of existing application infrastructure
- Evaluated application functionalities, recommending enhancements based on user feedback and system analysis.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and adherence to established guidelines.
Director of Instructional Design
5 Years- Spearheaded AI adoption across instructional design, simulation, and academic programs
- Spearheaded instructional design initiatives from concept to implementation, utilizing ADDIE learning science and evidence-based teaching practices
- Engineered and implemented AI-powered agents and chatbots utilizing institutional knowledge bases to enhance service efficiency
- Utilized generative AI and automation tools to optimize academic and operational workflows
- Developed comprehensive learning resources and assessments to support course outcomes and improve student achievement in nursing and higher education programs
- Oversaw funding initiatives and technology acquisitions, focusing on strategic partnerships and cost-effective solutions to enhance educational outcomes
- Partnered with faculty, subject matter experts, clinicians, and cross-functional stakeholders to enhance curricula, integrate educational technologies, and pilot AI-enabled learning solutions that improved teaching effectiveness
- Facilitated partnerships across colleges to test and implement cutting-edge instructional technologies, improving student engagement and operational efficiency
- Ensured compliance with instructional technology standards, accessibility requirements, accreditation expectations, and institutional policies, reducing risk and promoting quality assurance across academic programs
- Streamlined operations by identifying and solving complex technical challenges, leveraging process improvements and automation for optimal service delivery
- Championed educational technology initiatives to enhance faculty support, improve student learning outcomes, and advance institutional objectives
Instructional Designer
1 Year 8 Months- Founded an Instructional Design & Innovation Council to drive continuous course improvement.
- Led rapid transition from in-person to fully online instruction during COVID-19 and evaluated outcomes.
- Designed course materials and supported implementation for undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Established Instructional Design & Innovation Council to facilitate ongoing course improvement initiatives.
- Co-developed curricula for undergraduate and graduate courses.
- Developed standardized Canvas templates for BSN, MSN, DNP, and Ph.D. programs to enhance course delivery.
- Developed a Virtual Resource Room supporting successful CCNE accreditation.
- Created over 20 complex multimedia learning projects and launched an original career-focused podcast to support student engagement.
- Evaluated instructional technologies for effectiveness and cost efficiency.
- Supervised support operations to ensure timely resolution of user requests.
- Collaborated as College of Nursing liaison to institutional learning and online education teams.
Director of Operations
2 Years 2 Months- Led cross-functional teams of students, faculty, and staff to develop innovative solutions in social media, eye-tracking, distance learning, and VR.
- Managed complex, team-based projects from planning through successful completion, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Built strategic partnerships with campus units to launch new research initiatives and expand lab capabilities.
- Expanded the user-experience lab by launching four new divisions, including Learning Management and Analytics.
- Created administrative policies and procedures that streamlined operations and enhanced overall efficiency.
- Expanded user-experience lab by launching four new divisions, enhancing research capabilities in Learning Management and Analytics.
- Established and directed the CoLab Internship Program; mentored 10+ interns in academic and research technologies.
- Ensured compliance with EULAs, privacy policies, and institutional standards.
- Conducted course audits and redesigns for communication and journalism programs.
Nursing 101/UK 101 Instructor
3 Years 4 Months- Teach UK 101, a first-year experience course designed to support students in their transition from high school to college.
- Facilitated learning on time management, academic expectations, digital literacy, and stress management, establishing a foundation for personal and academic success.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to pre-nursing students, fostering a deeper understanding of the nursing field and its professional opportunities.
- Facilitate learning on key topics such as time management, academic expectations, digital literacy, and stress management to build a foundation for personal and academic success.
- Mentored and guided pre-nursing students, enhancing their understanding of the nursing field and its professional opportunities.
- Created an engaging and inclusive classroom environment that encouraged dialogue and active participation among students.
Office Assistant
3 Months- Provided clerical and administrative support to the Dean and three staff members
- Developed a system for the Director of Development to streamline management of daily donations
- Assisted those meeting with the Dean
- Facilitated meetings between individuals and the Dean
- Managed daily call routing to ensure proper connections
- Created a new system for the Director of Development to manage incoming daily donations
- Assisted with ensuring compliance with APA style
- Implemented a record-filing system to enhance document organization and accessibility
Peer Instructor
9 Months- Developed engaging curricula for first-year students taking Academic Orientation
- Implemented technology to enhance course engagement and foster interactive learning
- Assisted in curricula development and lesson planning for UK-101/201 (Academic Orientation)
- Implemented technology to improve course engagement
- Provided Canvas LMS support to students and co-instructors
- Designed and implemented Canvas shells that included best practices for usability and student-friendliness
- Performed various administrative tasks to support curriculum implementation
- Collaborated with peer instructors to share and adopt best practices in pedagogy
Instructional Assistant
4 Months- Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based strategies to foster independence and social academic engagement
- Demonstrated pedagogical best practices in a medium-lecture class format
- Recorded and managed grades for 65 students in Canvas LMS, ensuring accurate tracking of academic performance
- Supported instruction for COM-381, Intro course by providing additional resources and assistance to students.
- Contributed to Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Communication course through collaborative teaching efforts.
- Managed course Canvas shell, resolving technical issues to enhance student access and engagement
- Managed course Canvas Shell and fixed any problems incurred by students
- Set up Canvas shell for student submissions
- Assisted in developing and refining curricula that integrated leadership and information technology concepts
Education
Master of Science - Information Communication Technology
4.0 GPA
- Ranked in Top 1% of class
- Capstone Project: Implementing Eye-Tracking Metrics to The Usability Testing of Novel Software and Hardware Deployments.
Bachelor of Science - Information Communication Technology
- Ranked in top 10% of class
- Robinson Scholar Scholarship Recipient
- Magna Cum Laude graduate
- Dean's List 2014 - 2017
Skills
Application analysis
Application integration
Learning Management System administration
Curriculum development
Customer support
Decision-making
Advanced technical support
Team building and leadership
Certification
- MagicSchool AI Level IV Certified Educator (2025)
- Quality Matters: Seventh Edition Rubric Update (2023)
- Quality Matters: Continuing and Professional Education Reviewer Certification (2022)
- Quality Matters: Quality Matters Higher Education Peer Reviewer Certification, (2021)
- Quality Matters: Applying the Quality Matters Rubrics, (2018)
Timeline
Applications Analyst
University of Kentucky Information Technology Services - Beyond Blue
07.2026 - Current
Nursing 101/UK 101 Instructor
University Of Kentucky College Of Nursing
08.2022 - 12.2025
Director of Instructional Design
University Of Kentucky College Of Nursing
07.2021 - 07.2026
Instructional Designer
University of Kentucky College of Nursing
11.2019 - 07.2021
Instructional Assistant
UK College of Communication and Information
08.2017 - 12.2017
Director of Operations
University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information
05.2017 - 07.2019
Peer Instructor
University of Kentucky Student and Academic Life
08.2016 - 05.2017
Office Assistant
UK College of Communication and Information
05.2016 - 08.2016
Information Technology Consultant
Self Employed
08.2012 - Current
University of Kentucky
Master of Science from Information Communication Technology
University of Kentucky
Bachelor of Science from Information Communication Technology
Awards
- Marquis Who's Who Honored Listee (2024)
- UK College of Nursing: Excellence in Support of The College of Nursing (2024)
- UK College of Nursing: Staff Member of The Year (2020)
- UK College of Nursing: Dean's PUMA Award for Excellence (2020)
- UK College of Communication and Information: Maurice A. Clay Award for Leadership, Scholastic Achievement, Conspicuous Attainment, and Service to the College
- UK College of Communication and Information: Multiple Dean's List Honors
- Recipient of the 2008 UK Robinson Scholarship | Full Undergraduate Scholarship
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
UK 101 (Lead Instructor) and NUR 101 (Co-Instructor) (2021 - 2025)
University of Kentucky - Lexington, KY
- Taught UK 101, a first-year experience course designed to support students in their transition from high school to college
- Facilitated learning on time management, academic expectations, digital literacy, and stress management, establishing a foundation for personal and academic success
- Provided mentorship and guidance to pre-nursing students, fostering a deeper understanding of the nursing field and its professional opportunities.
- Facilitated learning on key topics such as time management, academic expectations, digital literacy, and stress management to build a foundation for personal and academic success
- Mentored and guided pre-nursing students, enhancing their understanding of the nursing field and its professional opportunities
- Created an engaging and inclusive classroom environment that encouraged dialogue and active participation among students
Leadership Experience
- Member, University of Kentucky College of Nursing Values Committee, 2025 - Present
- Member, University of Kentucky Online Education Steering Committee, 2024 - Present
- Industry Expert, Information and Academic Technology, Business Advisory Committee, Rockcastle County Area Technology Center, 2022 - Present
- Chair, Vice-Chair, and Past Chair UK College of Nursing Staff Council, 2022 - 2025
- Co-Chair, Technology Enhancement Council, UK College of Nursing, 2023 - 2024
- Co-Chair, Strategic Planning Innovation Committee, UK College of Nursing, 2024 - 2026
- Member, Work-Life Committee, UK College of Nursing 2019 - 2025
- Co-Chair, Instructional Design Innovation Council, UK College of Nursing, 2020 - 2023
- Chair, Dean's Student Leadership Council (SLC), UK College of Communication and Information, 2017 - 2019
- Member, Psychology Student Association, UK College of Arts and Sciences, 2019
- Student Representative, Dean Search Committee, UK College of Communication and Information, 2019
- President, Interim President, Vice-President, and Communications Director, Information Communication Technology Student Association (ICTSA), UK College of Communication and Information, 2016 - 2019
- Student Representative, College of Communication and Information National Advisory Board (NAB), UK College of Communication and Information, 2016 - 2019
- Chair, UK Remembers Planning Committee, 2015
Awards
- Marquis Who's Who Honored Listee (2024)
- UK College of Nursing: Excellence in Support of The College of Nursing (2024)
- UK College of Nursing: Staff Member of The Year (2020)
- UK College of Nursing: Dean's PUMA Award for Excellence (2020)
- UK College of Communication and Information: Maurice A. Clay Award for Leadership, Scholastic Achievement, Conspicuous Attainment, and Service to the College
- UK College of Communication and Information: Multiple Dean's List Honors
- Recipient of the 2008 UK Robinson Scholarship | Full Undergraduate Scholarship
Interests
Multi-Instrumentalist
Music Technology and Production
Aviculture
Aviation Science and History
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
Animal Welfare Advocacy
3D Printing
Houseplant Care