USD’s Learning Design Center (LDC) has earned distinguished recognition at Instructure’s first-ever Academic Excellence Awards, securing two prestigious placements in the “Outstanding Course” category. The awards, which celebrate exceptional educators and innovative programs worldwide, highlight USD’s commitment to educational excellence and innovative learning design.
Double Recognition in Outstanding Course Category
USD’s achievements at the inaugural Academic Excellence Awards demonstrate the university’s leadership in educational innovation and instructional design. The institution earned both second and third place honors in the Outstanding Course category, showcasing the depth of talent within its academic community.
Jeffrey Simmons earned second-place recognition for outstanding course design. Simmons, who has extensive experience as an instructional designer, has been instrumental in developing immersive learning experiences that apply authentic and situated learning concepts, including work with multimedia designers to create immersive environments using advanced technology platforms.
Alina Mitchell secured third place in the same category. Mitchell serves as faculty in USD’s Master of Education program, contributing to the university’s reputation for excellence in educational leadership and instruction.
About the Academic Excellence Awards
The Academic Excellence Awards represent Instructure’s inaugural effort to recognize exceptional achievements in education globally. The awards spotlight individuals and teams who have demonstrated measurable impact across three categories: Outstanding Course, Transformative Program, and Innovative Tool.
The Outstanding Course category specifically celebrates exceptional instructional design that features clear learning outcomes and engaging delivery methods. USD’s dual recognition in this category underscores the university’s strength in creating courses that not only meet high academic standards but also engage students through innovative teaching methodologies.
Rigorous Selection Process
The competition was highly competitive, with finalists selected from a global pool of nominees representing diverse institutions and academic disciplines. The selection process emphasized creativity, measurable outcomes, and overall influence on education. Each nomination required comprehensive documentation of measurable impact and underwent rigorous review by a panel of education experts and peer representatives.
First-place honorees received complimentary passes to attend InstructureCon 2025, where they will be recognized for their dedication and impact. All awardees, including USD’s recipients, will receive official recognition and be featured across Instructure’s social media channels.
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