Meet Jennifer Maddrell, PhD
With over 15 years of experience in instructional design and educational technology, Jennifer Maddrell combines academic rigor with practical application. After a successful 15-year career in the insurance industry, Jennifer pursued her passion for education, earning a Master’s in Education from Indiana University and a PhD in Instructional Design and Technology from Old Dominion University.
Jennifer founded the non-profit organization Designers for Learning, which engaged thousands of emerging instructional designers in service-learning projects creating open educational resources. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Virginia. Her approach to her work as an educator, researcher, and designer emphasizes collaboration, reflection, and real-world application. These same principles form the foundation of all Next Path Design learning experiences.
Our Approach
Our experiences are designed with the knowledge that learning happens best when:
- Experiences are guided but flexible: Our courses offer a clear structure while respecting each learner’s unique pace and goals.
- Theory meets practice: We bridge research-backed learning approaches with immediate, practical application.
- Community supports growth: Optional collaborative components allow learners to share insights and build professional connections.
- Reflection drives development: Each course includes structured opportunities to connect learning to personal and professional goals.