Hillary Washburn, EdD

Learning strategy | instructional design | workforce development

I lead learning systems, professional development strategy, and organizational improvement initiatives in mission-driven organizations. My work brings together platform governance, quality standards, workforce learning, and change leadership to build durable systems that help people do their work more effectively.

Portrait of Hillary Washburn

1,700+
learners supported through a statewide learning platform
378
self-paced courses launched, governed, and accredited as continuing education
1,600+
libraries served through statewide infrastructure and programming
IACET
standards alignment, quality systems, and accredited continuing education work

Selected Work

How I Work

I am most interested in using all available information to accurately diagnose workplace problems and design interventions that consider the whole system and deeply engage the people involved.

Strategy and systems

Learning systems, platform governance, quality frameworks, and thoughtful implementation.

Workforce development

Competency-based pathways, credentialing, professional learning design, and adoption support.

Organizational leadership

Change management, stakeholder alignment, vendor collaboration, and standards-based improvement.

Research and improvement

Mixed-methods research, evaluation, accessibility, and evidence-informed design decisions.

Experience

Learning Experience Program Manager
Massachusetts Library System
2025–Present

Lead statewide learning strategy, platform governance, enablement resources, and standards-based improvement for a professional learning ecosystem serving library staff across Massachusetts.

Instructional Designer and LMS Administrator
Massachusetts Library System
2022–2024

Built and launched the statewide LMS, established publishing and reporting structures, and developed the templates, documentation, and supports needed for consistent implementation.

Technology Integration Specialist
Keene Middle School
2020–2022

Led educator learning and digital tool adoption, with a focus on practical implementation, accessibility, and instructional support during periods of rapid change.

Research Project Manager
Oregon State University
2018–2020

Managed multi-institutional research operations, study design coordination, and publication support for projects focused on patient autonomy and communication.

Education

Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education

Plymouth State University, conferred May 2026. Concentration: Curriculum and Instruction. Dissertation: What Would You Do Tomorrow? A Scenario-Vignette Study of Library Workers' Responses to Intellectual Freedom Challenges.

Master of Education, Digital Learning and Library Media

Plymouth State University, 2021.

Bachelor of Science, Psychology

Granite State College, 2018.

Professional Development

Association for Talent Development (ATD)

Master Instructional Designer Designation (2024 to 2027). Evaluating Learning Impact Certificate (2024). eLearning Instructional Design Certificate (2024).

International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)

Foundations of IACET Accreditation Workshop (2025). Open Digital Badge Workshop: Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced Badges (2024).

Additional Certificates

Applied Agile Project Management, MindEdge Learning (2025). Microlearning Certificate Program, Training Magazine (2023). OLC Instructional Designer Certificate, Online Learning Consortium (2022). Moodle for Educators, Moodle US (2023). Designing Scenario-Based Learning, LinkedIn Learning (2022).

Selected Research, Publications, and Service

Doctoral Dissertation

What Would You Do Tomorrow? A Scenario-Vignette Study of Library Workers' Responses to Intellectual Freedom Challenges. Plymouth State University, 2026.

Publications

Co-author, IACET white papers on artificial intelligence in continuing education and on quality-centered digital credentialing. Additional publications in patient decision aids, shared decision-making, and reproductive health.

Service

IACET AI in Learning and Development Task Force; IACET Open Digital Credentials Task Force; AECT Learner Engagement Division.

Connect

I welcome conversations about learning leadership, professional development strategy, accreditation and credentialing, instructional design, applied research and mixed-methods evaluation, performance consulting, and systems-level intervention design.