Prof. Dr. Michele Estes

Dr. Michele Estes is a Professor of Learning Design and Technology, and Academic Unit Head of the Learning, Technology and Leadership Education (LTLE) department. The department is home to 8 graduate and 2 undergraduate academic programs including a new doctoral program – the first in the College. She leads a unit of expert faculty who, with diverse backgrounds, strive to make a positive difference in the world through education. With an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Instructional Technology, and a cognate in Cognition and Learning, Michele believes that heterophilic groups, such as in this department, are uniquely qualified to analyze complex problems through a multifaceted lens, ask and respond to big questions, and apply rigorous solutions in practice.

Prior to this role, Dr. Estes gained advanced experience in the field of learning design and technology while working full-time at the IBM U.S. Education Media Center, the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents, the University of Georgia (UGA) Center for Teaching and Learning, and James Madison University (JMU). Highlights include teaching graduate and undergraduate courses; engaging in a range of scholarly activities; serving global initiatives, the profession, and university; and participating in leadership activities. Sample leadership activities include directing academic programs; leading and budgeting for long-term and short-term research and grant projects; restructuring and fostering productive change; contributing to expansive initiatives such as the eCore pilot project and statewide faculty development initiatives; and otherwise engaging in innovative and impactful work with experts, across disciplines.