Leonia Houston

leonia.houston@gmail.com| https://theellehouston.com

Profile

Dynamic, results-driven higher education professional with over 16 years of progressive experience advancing institutional effectiveness, academic quality, and accreditation readiness within research-intensive and biomedical graduate education environments. Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, assessment framework design, and compliance leadership across SACSCOC and THEC initiatives. Skilled in leveraging data analytics and institutional reporting systems to inform decision-making, strengthen academic outcomes, and drive continuous improvement. Adept at collaborating across academic and administrative units to foster a culture of accountability, evidence-based innovation, and organizational excellence. Proven ability to translate complex data into actionable insights that enhance institutional performance, resource allocation, and student success.

Education

Master of Business Administration
University of Memphis

Master of Science in Instructional Technology
Mississippi State University

Bachelor of Accountancy
Mississippi State University

Professional Experience

Instructional Learning Designer
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences | December 2024 – Present

• Serve as the full-time instructional design and institutional effectiveness partner for the MS in Clinical Investigations and MS in Applied Biomedical Data Sciences programs.
• Collaborate with the Dean and Associate Deans on SACSCOC accreditation readiness, compliance documentation, and institutional assessment planning.
• Partner with program leadership and faculty to align program-level learning outcomes (PLOs) and course objectives with the Graduate School’s institutional effectiveness framework, ensuring data-driven assessment and evidence-based curricular improvement.
• Analyze assessment data and course metrics to inform strategic planning, retention strategies, and program evaluation.
• Lead course review cycles, documenting learning outcomes, evaluation results, and improvement actions.
• Participate in Graduate School strategic planning initiatives, aligning academic outcomes with institutional goals and continuous improvement processes.
• Facilitate faculty development sessions on assessment, learning analytics, and data-driven improvement practices.

Sr. Instructional Designer
Tennessee Board of Regents | September 2018 – December 2024

Led statewide instructional quality, assessment, and data-informed improvement initiatives supporting institutional effectiveness across Tennessee’s public higher education system. Partnered with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and institutional leadership to enhance program quality, accreditation readiness, and continuous improvement through evidence-based decision-making.

• Directed TN eCampus quality assurance frameworks, establishing design rubrics, assessment standards, and accessibility guidelines to strengthen instructional consistency and compliance across multiple institutions.
• Served as Academic Audit Leader (THEC-aligned program auditor), conducting data-driven program evaluations and synthesizing self-study findings into actionable recommendations for institutional effectiveness and resource planning.
• Analyzed institutional and LMS data (Power BI, Excel, Slate) to evaluate student engagement, retention, and course performance, translating findings into system-wide strategies that improved learner success and faculty development outcomes.
• Designed institutional dashboards and tracking systems to monitor assessment results, course quality, and compliance indicators aligned with SACSCOC and THEC standards.
• Collaborated with academic and administrative stakeholders across institutions in the TBR system to align learning outcomes assessment, quality assurance, and reporting standards.
• Managed large-scale instructional projects impacting 10,000+ users, ensuring alignment between academic program goals, technology infrastructure, and faculty development priorities.
• Designed and implemented faculty training programs on assessment integration, instructional design, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), enhancing teaching quality and student outcomes.
• Applied advanced project management practices to coordinate multi-campus initiatives, ensuring efficient implementation, measurable results, and continuous improvement.

Instructional Designer
University of Memphis | June 2014 – September 2018

Provided strategic leadership in the design, implementation, and evaluation of large-scale institutional initiatives advancing access, assessment, and academic quality in research-focused higher education. Served as instructional design and accreditation liaison for SACSCOC and THEC compliance, contributing to institutional effectiveness reports, documentation, and self-study evidence.

• Co-led the design and launch of UofM Global, standardizing 70+ online degree programs with unified templates, assessment rubrics, and data-informed quality assurance processes that improved course consistency and student engagement.
• Served as lead instructional designer for the LiFE: Learning Inspired by FedEx initiative, a groundbreaking partnership between the University of Memphis and FedEx designed to expand degree access for working professionals. Collaborated with academic leadership, corporate partners, and instructional technology teams to develop the LiFE Prep Academy, a flexible, self-paced entry program that awarded 12 college credits and supported adult learners’ transition to higher education.
• Directed the creation of Smart Start, an institutional readiness assessment that enhances adult learner preparedness for online education; improved student persistence and retention through targeted support and data-driven refinement.
• Collaborated across Academic Affairs, Institutional Research, and Online Learning divisions to align program-level learning outcomes (PLOs) with institutional and accreditation frameworks.
• Designed scalable instructional tools, templates, and course review processes to support accreditation documentation and continuous improvement efforts.
• Delivered faculty training on instructional design, assessment alignment, and technology-enhanced pedagogy, strengthening program-level accountability and teaching effectiveness.
• Contributed to strategic enrollment growth initiatives by integrating student success analytics into curriculum design and learner support strategies.

Academic Technology Consultant
University of Memphis | December 2010 – June 2014

Provided faculty with technical training and instructional technology support to enhance teaching effectiveness and technology integration across courses and programs.

• Designed and facilitated technology integration seminars for faculty.
• Researched and evaluated emerging technologies to improve instructional practices.
• Managed faculty collaboration initiatives through online and in-person methods.
• Liaised between Academic Affairs and IT to support instructional technology projects.

Information Technology Helpdesk and Labs Coordinator
University of Memphis | June 2009 – December 2014

Managed 24-hour IT helpdesk operations to support students, staff, and faculty, while overseeing student staff training and technical support quality.

• Resolved over 15,000 technical support requests annually, ensuring timely service.
• Supervised and trained student staff, improving service delivery quality.
• Implemented ticketing systems to reduce response times.
• Developed and delivered technical training programs for staff and students.

Teaching Experience

Online Adjunct Instructor
Holmes Community College | November 2009 – August 2017

Leveraged instructional design expertise and educational technology skills to design, develop, and deliver inclusive online learning experiences for diverse adult learners in asynchronous environments. Developed full curricula for Computerized Accounting and Business Accounting Technology courses, which continue to be used within the department.

• Designed, developed, and launched two fully online courses from scratch, ensuring alignment with learning objectives and ADA/UDL principles.
• Delivered asynchronous instruction to 40+ learners per semester across Fall, Spring, and Summer terms, maintaining high levels of engagement and learner satisfaction.
• Created inclusive, accessible instructional materials and assessments to support learner success.
• Participated in curriculum planning, development, and departmental professional development initiatives.

Adjunct Instructor
University of Memphis | August 2012 – December 2015

Applied instructional design and active learning strategies to deliver in-person instruction for ACAD 1100 Academic Strategies, a freshman seminar course designed to improve student success and retention.

• Designed and developed instructional materials aligned with course objectives and inclusive teaching practices.
• Delivered instruction using active learning methodologies to engage diverse student populations.
• Supported student learning through structured in-class activities and targeted academic strategies.

Professional Service

Academic Audit Leader (Program Auditor)
Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) | 2014 – 2023

Served as a statewide Academic Auditor supporting continuous quality improvement and institutional effectiveness across Tennessee higher education institutions in collaboration with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). Advanced academic quality and compliance through faculty-centered, evidence-based program reviews aligned with Quality Assurance Funding and state accountability measures.

• Led and participated in seven multi-institutional academic audit teams, coordinating virtual and in-person site visits to evaluate program quality, learning outcomes assessment, and institutional alignment with THEC and SACSCOC standards.
• Reviewed and analyzed program self-studies to assess mission alignment, curriculum coherence, assessment plans, and student learning outcomes; synthesized findings into actionable recommendations.
• Developed audit frameworks, interview protocols, and site visit agendas that strengthened the consistency and integrity of academic program evaluations across the system.
• Facilitated structured conversations with deans, faculty, and institutional leadership to interpret data, identify trends, and promote a culture of continuous improvement in teaching, learning, and assessment.
• Authored and co-authored comprehensive audit reports summarizing commendations, affirmations, and recommendations to inform institutional planning and effectiveness initiatives.
• Applied expertise in assessment methodology, data analytics, and instructional design to guide programs in aligning their continuous improvement efforts with state and regional accreditation expectations.
• Contributed to the statewide Quality Assurance Funding process, providing evaluative evidence supporting resource allocation and institutional accountability.

Training Specialist
Tennessee Board of Regents | December 2015 – September 2018

Provided consulting and leadership to TN eCampus faculty and teaching staff to align instructional technologies with teaching and student-learning goals, supporting the effective delivery of online courses and professional development.

• Assisted faculty in developing course materials and integrating appropriate instructional technologies into curricula.
• Initiated and implemented solutions for using technology effectively in teaching and course development.
• Identified and evaluated existing technology tools and assisted in developing and integrating new tools into courses.
• Developed relationships with service providers to obtain resources supporting faculty and student success.
• Designed and delivered training enabling faculty and students to effectively use instructional technologies for online and blended learning environments.

Publications

• Bowery, R., & Houston, L. (2017). Reaching All Learners By Leveraging Universal Design For Learning In Online Courses. EDUCAUSE Review.
• Houston, L. (2018). Efficient Strategies for Integrating UDL in the Online Classroom. Journal of Educators Online.

Presentations

• Executive Decision Making with Visualized Data, ELI Annual Meeting, February 2017
• Reaching All Learners: Universal Design for Learning in the Online Classroom, ELI Annual Meeting, February 2017
• Reaching All Learners: Universal Design for Learning in the Online Classroom, TN eCampus Summer Academy, June 2016
• Faculty Community of Practice, TN eCampus Summer Academy, June 2016
• Are Your Students Ready To Learn Online?, OLC Accelerate, November 2017
• Reaching All Learners Through UDL, OLC Accelerate, November 2017
• Online Student Success Initiative, OLC Accelerate, November 2017
• Mapping The Online Student Experience, OLC Accelerate, November 2017

Skills and Competencies

Institutional Effectiveness & Accreditation
SACSCOC and THEC Compliance • Academic Program Assessment • Institutional Reporting (IPEDS, SACSCOC, THEC) • Strategic Planning • Continuous Improvement Frameworks • Data-Informed Decision-Making • Learning Outcomes Alignment (PLOs/CLOs) • Faculty Assessment Support

Data Analytics & Visualization
Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis • Institutional Dashboards • Assessment Data Tracking • Power BI • Tableau • R • Excel • Data Synthesis and Interpretation for Leadership Reports

Project & Program Management
Cross-Functional Team Leadership • Stakeholder Collaboration • Strategic Roadmap Planning • Performance Optimization • Resource Allocation Analysis • Risk Management • Workday • Smartsheet • Microsoft Planner

Instructional Quality & Faculty Development
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) • Curriculum and Course Design • Quality Assurance Reviews • Faculty Mentorship • Evaluation Rubrics • Academic Audit Processes

Technology & Learning Systems
Learning Management Systems: Canvas, D2L Brightspace, Blackboard, Moodle, Coursera, edX
Content & Reporting Systems: Slate, Salesforce, Simple Syllabus, OU Campus, Luminis
Analytics and Authoring Tools: Power BI, Tableau, R, Excel, Articulate Storyline, Camtasia, Adobe Creative Suite