Kathryn Nelson, Ph.D profile and information
Learn more about Kathryn Nelson, Ph.D
- Instructional Designer II
- Adjunct Professor
More bio information
Short Bio
Dr. Kathryn (Kate) Nelson is an Instructional Designer II in the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University, where she partners with faculty and academic leaders to design innovative, engaging, and effective learning experiences. With more than 20 years of experience in instructional design, adult education, training development, and educational technology, she specializes in curriculum development, faculty development, online learning, learning management systems, artificial intelligence integration, and experiential learning. Prior to joining Auburn University, Dr. Nelson served as a Senior Instructional Systems Designer supporting military, defense, and healthcare training initiatives, leading large-scale instructional design projects using evidence-based learning strategies and the ADDIE model. Her diverse professional background includes roles in higher education, corporate training, educational technology, academic advising, and workforce development. Dr. Nelson holds a Ph.D. in Adult Education from Auburn University and is passionate about helping educators create learner-centered experiences that improve engagement, performance, and student success. She is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and grew up in Auburn, AL and now lives in Opelika, AL. She has one son, Cole, who is also a student studying Finance and Wealth Management.
Education
Ph.D. Adult EducationAuburn University2016
M.A. Adult EducationAuburn University2013
B.S. Speech Pathology and AudiologyAuburn University1996
Professional Experience
Instructional design and adult learning professional with more than 20 years of experience leading the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of learning solutions across higher education, corporate, government, military, and workforce development environments. Demonstrated expertise in curriculum development, online learning, faculty development, learning management systems, educational technology integration, artificial intelligence applications, and learner-centered instructional design.
Currently serving as a Senior Instructional Designer at Auburn University, providing strategic leadership for teaching and learning initiatives across the College of Human Sciences. Collaborates with faculty, academic departments, and university leadership to create high-quality online, hybrid, and face-to-face learning experiences while advancing course quality, accessibility, assessment, and educational innovation.
Previous experience includes serving as a Senior Instructional Systems Designer supporting military, defense, and healthcare clients, where responsibilities included leading large-scale instructional design projects, conducting needs assessments, developing blended learning solutions, mentoring instructional designers, and evaluating program effectiveness using industry-recognized methodologies. Additional leadership experience includes educational technology, academic advising, faculty support, workforce development, and global training program management.
Throughout her career, Dr. Nelson has successfully designed and implemented learning programs for diverse audiences, ranging from university faculty and students to corporate employees, military personnel, and adult learners. Her work is grounded in adult learning theory, experiential learning, project management, and evidence-based instructional design practices, with a commitment to improving learner engagement, performance, and organizational outcomes.
Core Areas of Expertise: Instructional Design (ADDIE), Curriculum Development, Faculty Development, Online Learning, Canvas LMS, Artificial Intelligence Integration, Educational Technology, Adult Learning, Assessment & Evaluation, Professional Development, Project Management, Gamification, Blended Learning, and Learning Analytics.
Innovation
Dr. Kathryn Nelson's research focuses on adult education, instructional design, educational technology, online learning, faculty development, and professional training effectiveness. Drawing upon her Ph.D. in Adult Education from Auburn University, her work centers on understanding how adults learn, how technology can enhance learning experiences, and how instructional strategies can improve learner engagement, performance, and knowledge transfer across educational and workforce settings.
Her research and professional scholarship have explored the application of adult learning theory, experiential learning, instructional design methodologies, and emerging technologies to support meaningful learning experiences in higher education, corporate training, military education, and workforce development environments. She has a particular interest in the design and evaluation of online and blended learning programs, the integration of artificial intelligence into teaching and learning, and the use of learning analytics to inform continuous improvement efforts.
In addition, Dr. Nelson has contributed to initiatives that examine learner engagement, student success, faculty support systems, and professional development strategies. Her work emphasizes practical, evidence-based approaches that help educators and organizations create learner-centered environments that improve both learning outcomes and organizational effectiveness. Through her instructional design leadership, faculty development programs, and collaboration with industry and academic partners, she bridges research and practice to advance innovation in teaching and learning.
Research Interests
• Adult Learning and Adult Education
• Instructional Design and Learning Experience Design
• Educational Technology and AI Integration
• Online and Blended Learning
• Faculty Development and Professional Learning
• Experiential Learning
• Learning Analytics and Assessment
• Workforce Development and Industry Training
• Student Engagement and Success
• Leadership Development and Organizational Learning
