WOMEN & LEADERSHIP
Co-Institutional Representative
MI-ACE Women’s Network · Jackson College
Supporting connection, professional development, and the advancement of women in higher education.
Explore the network ↗ABOUT SONJA
Curiosity. Connection.
Meaningful change.
I bring together learning design, technology, communications, and organizational leadership to help people and communities move forward.
The story behind
the work.
My work brings technology, equity, and emotional intelligence together to create meaningful learning systems.
I have worked across K–12, higher education, and nonprofit leadership, partnering with students, faculty, and communities on accessibility, workforce development, and curriculum innovation.
PhD in Education: Instructional Design and Technology. Liberty University, 2022.
My leadership & design philosophy →CAREER & EXPERIENCE
The experience behind the work.
2021–present
Jackson College
Instructional materials development, instructional design and development, college teaching, faculty development, accessibility, AI, and institutional collaboration.
2015–present
Tranquil Studio, Inc.
Founder and Executive Director. Nonprofit leadership, educational programs, publishing, community partnerships, and organizational operations.
2018–2021
Business Operations & Entrepreneurship
Co-founded a commercial services business and led staffing, scheduling, budgeting, training, and operational workflows.
2014–2017
Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Michigan
Office management, communications, public relations, marketing coordination, workforce programming, and executive support.
2004–2014
Lenawee Intermediate School District
Professional development, adult education, educational media production, technology training, and broadcast systems.
1992–2003
Jacobson’s Stores, Inc.
Advertising systems management, Apple and PC networks, servers, production technology, software implementation, and staff support.
LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Connecting people.
Developing leaders.
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY
JCPN Co-Lead
Jackson College Professional Network
Co-leading a professional network that connects colleagues around shared learning, development, and community.
Explore the network ↗EDUCATION
Learning is a lifelong practice.
- Postgraduate Certificate, School Leadership — Liberty University, 2024
- PhD, Education: Instructional Design & Technology — Liberty University, 2022
- MS, Educational Media Design & Technology — Full Sail University, 2012
- BFA, Visual Communications — American InterContinental University, 2005
- AA, Liberal Arts — Jackson College, 2003
HONORS & AWARDS · JANUARY 2026
2025–2026 League Excellence Award Recipient
League for Innovation · Jackson College
Recognizing work that makes a difference in students’ lives and local communities.
Selected by Jackson College as a 2025–2026 Excellence Award recipient, honoring outstanding faculty, staff, and leaders at League member institutions.
View the League’s award recipients ↗PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Credentials behind the practice.
30 distinct certificates and professional-learning credentials across leadership, digital learning, AI, communications, research, and mediation.
Project management, communications & AI 3 +
Google Project Management: Professional Certificate
Google · Issued Feb 2025
Credential ID: 9NUHUS41V9RE
Microsoft Public Relations and Communications Associate
Microsoft · Issued Feb 2025
Credential ID: 14Y4BCT1S9S3
Google AI Essentials
Coursera · Issued Jan 2025
Leadership & professional learning 7 +
Jackson College Leadership Academy
Jackson College
Employee Well-Being and Mental Health
Jackson College · Issued Aug 2024
Psychological Safety and Imposter Syndrome
Jackson College · Issued Aug 2024
Inclusive Excellence
Jackson College · Issued Jul 2023
Professional Development and PMI
Jackson College · Issued Jul 2023
Master Adjunct
Jackson College · Issued Mar 2024
Learning Forward Self-paced Certificate
Canvas Credentials (Badgr) · Issued Nov 2023
Credential ID: 6551b786c07c570122592f21
Canvas & digital learning 13 +
Canvas Custom Training: Canvas Studio
Instructure · Issued Apr 2022
Engagement Strategies HE
Instructure · Issued Jul 2022
Personalized Learning HE: Administration LMS Migration
Instructure · Issued Jul 2022
Foundational Frameworks HE
Instructure · Issued Dec 2022
Leading with Canvas
Instructure · Issued Jan 2023
Leveraging Canvas for Professional Learning
Instructure · Issued Jan 2023
Transformational Practices with Digital Tools HE
Instructure · Issued Jan 2023
Humanizing Learning with Canvas
Instructure · Issued Jan 2023
Getting Started with Canvas Badges
Instructure · Issued Feb 2023
Creating Global Cultural Competence with Canvas
Instructure · Issued Feb 2023
Creating High Quality Assessments
Instructure · Issued Feb 2023
Using Assessments for Data-Driven Decisions with Canvas
Instructure · Issued Feb 2023
Canvas Certified Educator HE
Instructure · Canvas Credentials (Badgr) · Issued Jan 2023
Credential ID: 63cbff01dfd3ba4e6f3678ea
Mediation 1 +
Domestic Relations Dispute Resolution Mediation
Southeastern Dispute Resolution Services · Issued Dec 2020
Research ethics & administration training 6 +
Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research
CITI Program · Issued Sep 2021
Credential ID: 43231622
Social and Behavioral Researchers
CITI Program · Issued Sep 2021
Credential ID: 43231621
IACUC: Researchers
CITI Program · Issued Sep 2021
Credential ID: 43231625
IACUC Community Member
CITI Program · Issued Sep 2021
Credential ID: 43231624
Essentials of Research Administration
CITI Program · Issued Sep 2021
Credential ID: 43231627
Conflicts of Interest
CITI Program · Issued Sep 2021
Credential ID: 43231623
HOW I WORK
Learner. Achiever. Individualization.
Analytical. Ideation.
My CliftonStrengths reflection
This report highlights my top five CliftonStrengths from 34 options. CliftonStrengths focuses on maximizing individual strengths rather than fixing weaknesses. It emphasizes that people are most productive and satisfied when leveraging their strengths.
While my strengths may evolve and reflect insights from the day of the assessment, these resonate well with who I am today.
Learner | Achiever | Individualization | Analytical | Ideation
OPPORTUNITIES & CONTACT
Start a focused conversation.
Interested in my experience for a role, a collaboration, or an event? Connect with me on LinkedIn and tell me what you have in mind.
Contact Sonja on LinkedIn ↗