Acknowledgment

Mentors, Collaborators, and Leadership Influences

Throughout my tenure at FIU Online, I have been fortunate to work alongside an extraordinary network of colleagues, mentors, and leaders who have contributed meaningfully to my professional growth and development as a Learning and Design professional. The collaborative nature of instructional design, particularly within a quality-driven environment committed to accessibility, student success, and continuous improvement, means that much of my work has been shaped through shared insight, mentorship, and cross-functional partnership.

While it is not possible to recognize every individual who has positively influenced my journey over the past 13+ years, I would like to acknowledge several colleagues whose guidance, collaboration, and leadership have supported my development in areas such as Quality Matters (QM)–aligned course design, ADA-compliant digital learning environments, blueprint development, faculty consultation, and the ongoing advancement of student-centered online instruction.

I extend my sincere appreciation to my FIU Online colleagues and faculty partners whose mentorship and collaboration have strengthened the quality, consistency, and accessibility of our online learning environments. Cross-functional teamwork with instructional designers, maintenance specialists, and program leadership has been instrumental in advancing scalable design practices, improving course lifecycle management, and implementing innovations that support both faculty and student success across modalities.

The following individuals have had a particularly meaningful impact on my professional journey through their mentorship, collaboration, and leadership within the FIU Online Learning Design ecosystem:

Professional Mentors and Collaborators

• Trina Sanders

• Karina Ocampo

• Maikel Right

• Herminia Lezcano

• Amber Webber

• Jessica Rodriguez

• David John Palmer

• Matt Acevedo

• Abraham Trewin

Their collective commitment to excellence, collaboration, and service has contributed not only to my individual growth, but also to the continued advancement of FIU Online’s mission to deliver high-quality, accessible, and engaging digital learning experiences.