Pooneh Lari
Cary,NC
Summary
Instructional Designer with over 15 years of experience designing, developing, and evaluating learning experiences across higher education, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. Expert in needs assessment, instructional design, and learning evaluation, with a strong focus on accessibility, UDL, and Quality Matters standards. Proven record of collaborating with SMEs, leading curriculum innovation, and integrating AI and emerging technologies to enhance learner engagement and performance.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Teaching Professor & Program Coordinator, Training and Development, M.Ed.
North Carolina State University
08.2022 - Current
- Design, develop, and teach graduate-level instructional design and training courses.
- Lead Quality Matters certification initiatives and integrate UDL principles across courses.
- Facilitate real-world consulting projects connecting students with industry clients.
- Develop mentoring programs and lead advisory board collaborations.
- Conduct research to inform instructional design and workforce development practices.
- Developed and delivered engaging lectures on advanced topics in subject area.
- Mentored students through research projects and academic pursuits to enhance learning outcomes.
Associate Director of Design / Quality Matters Coordinator
Emeritus Institute of Management
12.2021 - 08.2022
- Designed executive education courses through needs analysis and collaboration with SMEs.
- Coordinated course reviews and managed QM-certified reviewers.
- Provided design feedback and ensured alignment with learning outcomes and quality standards.
Instructional Designer & eLearning Specialist
Wake Technical Community College
04.2015 - 08.2021
- Designed professional development courses and faculty mentoring programs.
- Developed instructional materials and evaluations aligned with QEP outcomes.
- Conducted program evaluations and research to improve teaching effectiveness.
- Co-PI for U.S. Department of Education 'First in the World' Grant (Project COMPASS).
- Developed engaging online learning modules utilizing instructional design principles and best practices.
- Collaborated with faculty to create curriculum aligned with academic objectives and student needs.
Education
Ed.D. - Adult & Higher Education
North Carolina State University
M.S. - Instructional Technology/Design
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
M.S. - Human Resources
Western Carolina University
B.A. - English as a Second Language
Azad University
Skills
- Instructional Design
- Learning Experience Design (LxD)
- Curriculum Development
- Needs Assessment
- Learning Evaluation
- Quality Matters (QM)
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- AI in Learning
- Canvas/Moodle/Blackboard
- Project Management
- Course planning
- Student mentoring
- Team leadership
- Critical thinking
Affiliations
- ATD
- AERA
- AAACE
- TODN
- SHRM
Certification
- Quality Matters Higher Education Peer Reviewer
- Universal Design for Learning (CAST)
- Kirkpatrick Four Levels of Evaluation – Bronze Level
- ATD Coaching Certificate
Timeline
Assistant Teaching Professor & Program Coordinator, Training and Development, M.Ed.
North Carolina State University
08.2022 - Current
Associate Director of Design / Quality Matters Coordinator
Emeritus Institute of Management
12.2021 - 08.2022
Instructional Designer & eLearning Specialist
Wake Technical Community College
04.2015 - 08.2021
M.S. - Human Resources
Western Carolina University
Ed.D. - Adult & Higher Education
North Carolina State University
M.S. - Instructional Technology/Design
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
B.A. - English as a Second Language
Azad University
Selected Presentations & Publications
- Lari, P. (2025). Integrating High-Impact Educational Experiences into Graduate Courses. AAACE Conference.
- Lari, P. & DeFelice, R. (2023). A Secret Ingredient to L&D Success: Understanding Problem-Solving Styles. TICE Conference.