Alicia Jenner:
Within the landscape of higher education, Alicia Jenner stands out as a beacon of innovation and empathy. As a key member of Michigan State University’s Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation [CTLI], Alicia is dedicated to making education more accessible and equitable for all learners.
Alicia’s path to educational leadership wasn’t linear. Growing up in Marquette and graduating from Northern Michigan University, she initially aspired to become a speech pathologist. However, a conversation with a former professor at Northern Michigan University introduced her to the field of instructional design.
“I knew I liked working with people and making connections,” Alicia reflects. This insight, combined with her extensive knowledge of educational practices, directed her towards her current career path.
After earning her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructional Technology, Alicia’s career took her to Iowa State University. There, she played an essential role in preparing engineering faculty to teach online and to embrace online education, an experience that broadened her understanding of the ‘scale of ability’ with technology among faculty and students alike.
Now at CTLI, Alicia leads projects that are reshaping the landscape of online and continuing education. As the project lead for online.msu.edu, she’s at the forefront of building digital infrastructure that serves both for-credit and non-credit programming. .
“In everything we do at the CTLI, it’s a team effort,” Alicia emphasizes. “We all bring our own areas of expertise to advance initiatives.” Her work spans from analyzing enrollment and financial data to tackling retention and recruitment challenges, all with the goal of making online education at MSU more equitable. She has built and rebuilt online.msu.edu twice and is currently working on its third update, focusing on community engagement and developing a centralized registration system for non-credit programs to make lifelong learning more accessible.
Alicia’s commitment to equity extends beyond the university walls. Her involvement with UPCEA [the Online and Professional Education Association] allows her to collaborate with professionals across multiple regions in North America, discussing emerging trends and challenges in the field.
True to her passion for education, Alicia is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Leadership for Education Equity in Higher Education from the University of Colorado Denver. Balancing her studies with her full-time work at CTLI, Alicia embodies the spirit of lifelong learning that she champions for others.
“If I have an opportunity to get out of my little bubble, I will always take it,” Alicia says, reflecting on her constant desire to learn and grow.
As Alicia continues her journey in educational leadership, her focus remains clear: to create more accessible learning opportunities for all. Her work aligns closely with the MSU 2030 Strategic Plan, particularly in recruiting and supporting the success of a more diverse student body in Graduate and Professional programs.
Through her dedication, empathy, and innovative spirit, Alicia Jenner truly embodies what it means to be an Educator of Impact, continuously working to break down barriers and open doors in the world of higher education.
