Professional Background
My name is Jennifer Maddrell. I create, facilitate, and research learning experiences that empower people and organizations to reach their full potential. As an instructional design consultant and educator, I combine proven learning and performance approaches with technology to turn educational goals into reality.
After earning an MBA and enjoying a successful career in the insurance industry, I discovered my true passion is education. This led me to earn a Master’s in Education from Indiana University and a Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology from Old Dominion University. Since then, I have been dedicated to creating engaging and impactful learning experiences.
One of my proudest achievements is founding Designers for Learning, a non-profit organization. From 2014 to 2020, we engaged thousands of emerging instructional designers in service-learning projects to create open educational resources that support the development of adult foundational skills and workforce preparation efforts. These projects empowered our volunteers to gain valuable experience while making a positive difference.
Today, I teach in the Instructional Technology program at the University of Virginia while providing consulting and research support to organizations like World Education and ScaleLIT to help adult educators integrate technology into their classrooms. My focus remains constant throughout my work: creating practical solutions that drive lasting, positive change through effective learning experiences.