Dr. Christie Vanorsdale, Ed.D, Ms.Ed.

Vanorsdale Learning Lab is a full-service L&D consulting practice. I founded it because I kept seeing the same problem: organizations investing in training that wasn't performing, and solving it by building more content. The content was rarely the issue. The system underneath it was. Our work spans three types of engagements: organizations that have invested in learning infrastructure and can't show what it's producing; organizations that sell training as a product but have years of content without a competency framework or curriculum architecture underneath it; and organizations building from scratch who want to get the design right before they start building. All three start the same way: a rigorous diagnostic before anything is designed or built. Recent engagements include leading the full platform migration and learning architecture redesign for Great Game of Business — a B2C training platform projected to generate over $1.9M in revenue — conducting a national mixed-methods discovery with 143 leaders across a 600+ affiliate nonprofit to build their first leadership development framework at NAMI, and developing the first-ever Electrical Commissioning Provider Training Program for Engineered Air Balance, a program with no comparable precedent in the field. Every engagement includes sustainability built in. The goal is always a system the organization can maintain and grow after we're gone. Engagements are led by Dr. Christie Vanorsdale, Ed.D. (Instructional Technology, Duquesne University) — published researcher, 15+ years across higher education and organizational L&D — alongside Dr. Kimberly Rehak, Ed.D. (Curriculum and Instruction), and supported by a certified project manager. 45+ projects completed.

Building an online English learning platform from the ground up is no small feat, but I’m thrilled to say we did it with style and success! Leveraging my instructional design expertise, I led the development of a subscription-based learning platform that grew from zero to 1,400 active learners within a year. My role included customizing the LMS, quality-checking content, and developing a seamless, scalable content migration process. Key Accomplishments: 🔹 Expanded platform from 0 to 1,400 learners in a year, establishing a reliable revenue stream for the client. 🔹 Worked closely with developers to customize LearnDash LMS, enhancing functionality and user experience.

Developed training that went beyond the basics, helping healthcare technical support teams engage more empathetically with customers. By analyzing customer feedback and aligning training with real-world needs, the support team was not only knowledgeable but also attuned to the unique challenges their clients face daily. Key Achievements: 🔹Designed empathy-driven training, leading to better, more personal support for healthcare customers. 🔹 Worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the training addressed actual customer needs, resulting in widespread buy-in from support teams and management.

Led course redesign for Johns Hopkins and other institutions, moving complex programs to high-quality online and hybrid delivery.

Taught graduate coursework in language education, inclusive instruction, and culturally responsive teaching; led faculty development on intercultural competence.

My time at Duquesne University has been all about making an impact in education. From designing courses to supporting the Faculty Senate, I worked to create culturally responsive, interactive content for future educators. Additionally, I streamlined faculty operations with automated systems that transformed how we handle day-to-day logistics. Standout Contributions: 🔹 Created 8 DEI-focused courses that earned high marks for preparing educators to foster inclusive classrooms. 🔹Implemented automated systems that streamlined faculty resources and reduced admin bottlenecks, letting us focus on education.

Instructor in the ESL department of Duquesne University. This program accommodates/prepares international students to meet their academic English goals as future or matriculated students in American universities .

Led the transition of five in-person English courses into a hybrid format for Brazilian instructors, using Moodle to build an engaging, adaptable learning environment for 250 students. This project involved creating a sustainable, standards-aligned curriculum that not only enhanced the learning experience but also empowered educators to confidently continue building and delivering impactful courses. Key Achievements: 🔹 Transformed traditional classes into dynamic hybrid experiences, equipping students and educators for flexibility and resilience. 🔹 Aligned with WIDA standards, providing four lead educators with the tools to leverage LMS infrastructure effectively and ensure consistent, long-term learning outcomes.

Served as Project Manager and Learning Design lead, where I crafted data-driven roadmaps and workflows to elevate sales enablement training. Focused on building accessible, engaging learning experiences that supported sales knowledge retention and customer empathy. Key Achievements: ▪️ Designed a three-part hybrid training program that combined self-paced modules, interactive workshops, and practical assessments, enabling sales teams to build meaningful connections with customers with communication disabilities. ▪️ Enhanced LMS platforms to meet both internal and external training needs, ensuring ADA compliance and leveraging Universal Design principles to improve user engagement and accessibility for all learners.

Led the design and transformation of online learning environments for clients in higher education and industry, directing instructional strategies that boosted student engagement and satisfaction. Key initiatives included reimagining traditional courses into interactive formats and developing faculty training for effective online teaching, notably a full digital transformation of a 6-week anatomy course for Johns Hopkins. Key Contributions: ▪️ Enhanced Learning Experiences: Spearheaded student-centered course designs that increased active participation and learning outcomes. ▪️ Created accessible, engaging digital learning solutions that aligned with Universal Design and ADA standards, ensuring high-quality educational experiences for diverse learners.

Worked as the Instructional Designer and Subject Matter expert to design and develop an online Teaching Assistant certificate course to prepare learners to pass the PRAXIS exam.

Redesigned and enhanced TESOL program curricula, including Second Language Acquisition and Intercultural Competence courses, with a focus on scaffolding content to support diverse language proficiency levels. Built foundational frameworks in teacher education and instructional design, preparing graduate students to excel in TESOL. ▪️ Developed an 80/20 blended learning model with 80% online and 20% on-campus coursework, tailored to improve access and engagement for students with varied linguistic backgrounds. ▪️ Integrated interactive content and adaptive learning pathways that enhanced understanding, increased participation, and established new standards for blended learning in TESOL.

Graduate student of Education with an ESL specialization

Undergraduate student of Psychology and Sociology