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Systems
Development as a Systems Designer.
My background in systems design began with instructional design and has expanded to encompass websites, digital information environments, educational platforms, and scholarly information systems. With an M.Ed. in Learning, Design, and Technology and a Graduate Certificate in User Experience and Usability, I approach systems development through the complementary perspectives of instructional design, human-computer interaction, and accessibility. My approach emphasizes the relationship between technical functionality and human experience. I draw on user-centered design, heuristic evaluation, information architecture, and iterative development to create systems that are intuitive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of their users. My professional experience in K–12 education, higher education faculty development, and independent web development has reinforced the importance of understanding how people actually interact with technology. Accessibility is central to my design practice. Beyond meeting technical standards, I consider how interface design, navigation, information organization, and cognitive demands influence users' ability to engage with digital environments. These considerations also inform my research interests in disability, educational technologies, and the assumptions embedded in technological systems. The projects below illustrate how I apply these principles across educational, institutional, scholarly, and client-based environments.
Examples of Systems.
Biographical Directory of Documentation & Information Science
Through my graduate research assistantship with Dr. Jenny Bossaller at the University of Missouri, I contributed to the development of the Biographical Directory of Documentation and Information Science, a scholarly resource documenting the individuals and organizations that have shaped information science.
Working within the MediaWiki platform, I improved the site's interface, navigation, and search functionality, implemented rotating featured articles, and enabled translation capabilities to support broader international access.
In a separate contract with the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T), I developed a digital interface and supporting system for displaying oral history records within the directory.
My contributions to the directory's development were acknowledged by Dr. Michael Buckland and Dr. Jenny Bossaller in their 2025 publication in the Proceedings from the Document Academy.
This project brings together my interests in information systems, knowledge organization, usability, accessibility, and the preservation of disciplinary history.
ASK System: Operation Navigation
Developed as part of my Front-End Analysis of Systems coursework, Operation Navigation is an interactive instructional system designed to help students navigate Village Virtual LLC's online learning environment.
Using task analysis, I identified essential platform functions and organized the content into a question-driven learning experience. Built in Google Slides, the system guides learners through common tasks and decisions, simulating the exploratory dialogue they might have with an experienced instructor or mentor.
This project demonstrates my early application of systems analysis, information organization, and learner-centered instructional design.
Online Teacher Certification.
At the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, I redesigned and developed the Online Teaching Certification program to support faculty in designing, evaluating, and improving online courses. The program has since expanded into two certification levels.
Grounded in the ADDIE model and evidence-based instructional practices, the program guides faculty through course design principles and provides opportunities to apply those principles directly to their own teaching. I emphasized clear navigation, accessible content, manageable cognitive demands, and practical activities that support meaningful instructional improvements.
The resulting program combines faculty professional development with user-centered systems design, supporting instructors across disciplines and levels of experience.
Note: Course materials are the property of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Selected samples are provided for portfolio purposes.
Missouri Archives Redesign.
As part of my Interaction Design coursework, I collaborated on a user-centered redesign of the Missouri Archives website.
Our team conducted client interviews and a heuristic evaluation to identify usability concerns, navigation challenges, and opportunities to improve accessibility. We translated these findings into a revised information architecture and high-fidelity Figma prototype, emphasizing clearer navigation, more intuitive interactions, and improved visual hierarchy.
This project demonstrates the application of usability evaluation, stakeholder collaboration, and iterative interface design to a real-world information environment.
Teaching Alongside AI Certificate.
I designed and developed Teaching Alongside AI, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's first faculty development certification dedicated to generative artificial intelligence. More than 100 faculty members have completed the program.
The asynchronous course examines the opportunities, limitations, and ethical considerations of generative AI in higher education, encouraging faculty to critically evaluate emerging technologies and their implications for teaching and learning.
Using Canvas and Cidi Labs DesignPLUS, I developed an accessible, interactive learning environment incorporating structured navigation, tabbed content, reflective activities, and practical instructional applications. The program emphasizes responsible AI integration, inclusive teaching practices, and informed pedagogical decision-making.
Note: Course materials are the property of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Selected samples are provided for portfolio purposes.
Wellspring Therapy Services Website.
As an independent web designer and developer, I designed, built, and continue to maintain the website for Wellspring Therapy Services, a multiprovider private practice.
Working from client-provided written content, I developed the website's information architecture, visual design, navigation, and photography. My goal was to create an approachable, professional digital environment that communicates the practice's services clearly while supporting accessibility and ease of use.
This project demonstrates the application of user-centered design principles throughout an independent client engagement, from initial planning and development to ongoing administration and maintenance.