Who I am

Dr. Lisa C. Young stands at the innovative edge of teaching and learning, dedicating over three decades to transforming higher education. With deep expertise in instructional design, faculty development, and academic leadership, she has continually pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, championing both access and excellence. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Instructional Design for Online Learning, a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Analytics, an M.Ed. in Learning and Instructional Technology, and a B.S. in Geography—each reinforcing her commitment to forward-thinking practice.

A nationally recognized leader in open education, Dr. Young pioneered major initiatives such as Maricopa Millions and Open Maricopa, saving students more than $40 million and positively impacting over 400,000 learners. Her work has not only expanded access to affordable educational resources but has also shaped district-wide strategies in open educational resources (OER), earning her the prestigious OERizona Lifetime Achievement Award.

In addition to her work in OER, Dr. Young is advancing the next frontier through microcredential innovation. As a design leader and advocate for workforce-aligned learning pathways, she helps build flexible, stackable credentials that empower learners and meet the evolving needs of industries. Through her blog, she continues to explore how educators can stay at the forefront of change—where innovation, equity, and learning converge.