Randall Case, PhD
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF LEARNING, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
caser@neco.edu
Professional Summary
For more than 30 years, Randall has worked at the intersection of teaching, learning, technology, and educational innovation, serving as both a faculty member and academic leader across a wide range of higher education settings. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with institutions and educators to improve teaching, strengthen assessment, and design meaningful learning experiences that promote lasting student success.
Randall’s approach is informed by the learning sciences, integrating research from educational psychology, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience with expertise in instructional design, faculty development, assessment, and educational technology. He is particularly interested in translating what we know about how people learn into practical, evidence-informed approaches that help faculty create learning experiences that are intellectually engaging, cognitively effective, and professionally meaningful.
Areas of Expertise
Learning Science & Cognitive Psychology
Assessment Design & Psychometrics
Active Learning & Student Engagement
Project- & Problem-Based Learning
Game & Simulation-Based Learning
Educational Technology & AI Integration
Personal Statement
I believe effective education is measured not by what is taught, but by what learners are able to understand, apply, and ultimately become. Learning flourishes when students actively engage with ideas, connect new knowledge to existing understanding, practice in authentic contexts, and receive meaningful feedback that supports continued growth.
My goal is to help create learning experiences that prepare students not only to demonstrate competence today, but to become adaptable, reflective professionals who continue learning throughout their careers. The true measure of educational success is not what students know when they graduate, but what they are able to do, contribute, and become long afterward.
Heather Braatz, MSEd
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER
braatzh@neco.edu
Professional Summary
As an instructional designer, Heather’s mission is to build practical, human-centered experiences by applying adult learning principles and fostering a spirit of collaborative innovation. She enjoys partnering with faculty to craft meaningful, immersive, high-quality learning experiences. Drawing from a diverse professional history in higher education and specialized industries, she prioritizes quality, alignment in curriculum, and building authentic, supportive relationships with busy subject matter experts. Heather approaches every challenge as a pragmatic strategist, focusing on practical solutions that empower our educators and students.
Areas of Expertise
Instructional Design and Course Structure
Simulation-Based Education Design
Generative AI Learning Design
Applied AI Prompt Engineering
Personal Statement
Effective instructional design goes beyond content delivery and helps inform the learner’s experience by expanding their capacity to understand, apply, transfer and practice in a supportive environment. I believe meaningful learning occurs when design meets intent and learners actively engage with ideas in new ways, making connections to their own experiences, and applying their knowledge and skills to their future profession. My practice as a designer and consultant is grounded in combining practical execution with empathy and pedagogical approaches that honor the needs of both the learner and educator. Through collaboration, we can design learning communities that are truly transformative.
Emily Bouchard, MS
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ASSESSMENT
boucharde@neco.edu
Professional Summary
For the past 11 years at NECO, Emily has served in roles dedicated to both faculty and student support. As Associate Director of Educational Technology and Assessment within the TLC, she partners with faculty to enhance teaching and learning through evidence‑informed pedagogy, purposeful technology integration, and engaging course design. She helps instructors connect assessment practices and outcomes data to actionable improvements that advance student success, while fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration across the curriculum.
Areas of Expertise
Assessment Design & Psychometrics
Active Learning & Instructional Technology
Canvas & Assessment Software Support
AI & Emerging Technologies
Personal Statement
I view assessment as an essential part of the learning process, transforming evidence into actionable insight that helps instructors continuously refine their teaching practices while supporting stronger student outcomes. I strive to reduce barriers, build upon existing strengths, and create engaging learning experiences that foster both academic growth and long-term success. My approach begins with listening carefully to faculty goals, challenges, and constraints, then working collaboratively to design practical solutions where technology meaningfully supports pedagogy rather than driving it.
As healthcare education continues to evolve alongside rapid technological advancement, I believe we have a responsibility to prepare students for the increasingly technology-driven environments in which they will practice. I am committed to exploring innovative approaches that help ensure our students graduate not only as exceptional clinicians, but also as adaptable professionals prepared for the future of optometry.
Jess Hutchings, MA, MLIS
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER
hutchingsj@neco.edu
Professional Summary
As an Instructional Designer, Jess partners with NECO faculty to turn complex clinical curricula into clearly organized, intuitive learning experiences. She brings more than 15 years of higher education and learning design experience leading strategic design initiatives across universities, corporate environments, and non-profit organizations, including key roles at a Research 1 university and a learning design consulting firm. Jess’ approach is rooted in an academic background in information science, specializing in information literacy and instruction, which naturally sparked her passion for user-experience design, human-computer interaction, and collaborative project management. Her dedication to the learner experience is also shaped by her professional experience as an academic advisor mentoring graduate students.
Jess draws on a firsthand understanding of student friction points and learning science to apply evidence-based frameworks to remove technical hurdles, allowing faculty to focus on teaching and students to focus on mastering their future profession.
Areas of Expertise
Online Course Design & Development
Meaningful, Engaging, & Active Learning Experiences
Authentic, Scaffolded Assessments & Feedback Loops
User Experience & Human-Centered Learning Design
Curriculum Mapping & Information Architecture
Digital Learning Resource Architecture & OER Integration
Agile Project Management & Collaborative Leadership
Personal Statement
I believe that exceptional instructional design balances systemic architecture with human connection. Learning occurs when we actively engage with ideas in authentic contexts, navigate clear pathways, and receive scaffolded feedback that builds real-world capability. In my practice, I partner with subject matter experts to demystify technology, curate credible learning resources, and build sustainable, high-quality course structures. Having spent over a decade in the field, my core philosophy is to meet subject matter experts exactly where they are. I look for creative, out-of-the-box ways to adapt to each individual’s unique needs, aiming to reduce cognitive load throughout the design process. Ultimately, this allows us to focus on working together collaboratively while keeping learner success at the center of everything we build.
Dominic Sanders
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA SPECIALIST
sandersd@neco.edu
Professional Summary
Over the last decade, Dominic has collaborated with people from all walks of life to produce high-quality multimedia content across a variety of industries. For the past two years, he has brought that experience to the NECO community. In his current role as Educational Technology Specialist, he works directly at the intersection of creative media and digital pedagogy. In this hybrid role, he bridges the gap between high-quality videography and instructional technology, managing our campus learning systems, while continuing to capture impactful visual stories. He provides responsive technical support, manages LMS integrations, and evaluates new instructional tools to ensure NECO’s digital spaces run smoothly. His focus is on partnering closely with faculty to enhance teaching effectiveness, design engaging learning experiences, and thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies.
Dominic is deeply committed to fostering meaningful connections with faculty and serving as an active partner in faculty development to elevate teaching practices and support student success in both digital and physical classrooms.
Areas of Expertise
Multimedia Production & Content Creation (Video & Photography)
Digital Learning Platforms & LMS Management
Classroom Technology Integration & Faculty Coaching
Digital Accessibility
Post-Production Video & Photo Editing
Personal Statement
I believe that technology and media production should never feel intimidating or out of reach. My philosophy is rooted in demystifying these tools completely; I want to share my knowledge openly so that anyone I work with walks away truly understanding the how and the why. I strive to create a warm, collaborative space where faculty and students feel completely comfortable asking any question, big or small. Whether we are troubleshooting educational technology or dialing in a video production setup, I am dedicated to sitting down and working side by side with people until they feel confident, capable, and empowered to succeed.
