Marlena is an Instructional Designer with Niagara Bottling’s HR Learning & Development team, where she creates engaging learning experiences that connect business goals to employee success. Marlena designs eLearning, instructor-led training, and digital adoption solutions that strengthen skills and drive performance across manufacturing and corporate teams. She earned her Master’s in Learning Design and Technology from the University of San Diego, where she developed a deep passion for designing learning that makes a measurable difference. Marlena’s portfolio includes immersive video-based simulations, blended learning programs, and data-informed assessments, all focused on helping learners grow, adapt, and perform with confidence. As a USD alum, Marlena is passionate about designing learning that truly supports people, helping them build skills, grow their careers, and feel empowered in their work.
What kind of job do you have in instructional or learning design?
As an ID within Niagara’s HR L&D group, I design and implement training programs. I collaborate with SME across corporate functions to develop performance-focused learning solutions, ranging from onboarding and leadership development to process and systems training.
Why did you choose the LDT program?
I chose the LDT program because from the very first conversation, I could tell the faculty genuinely cared about my growth. The program stood out because it offered true guidance, I never felt like just another student. The sense of community and encouragement made all the difference, giving me the confidence to grow into the learning professional I am today.
How did the LDT program help you achieve your career goals?
The LDT program gave me the confidence to talk about learning and development in a more strategic and meaningful way. Before starting the program, I was already working in L&D, but I wanted to take on more challenging, innovative projects that aligned with where I saw my career going. During my second semester, I began job searching and actually used the first Storyline project I created in the program as part of my interview (since I didn’t have a full portfolio yet). The hiring managers were really impressed, and that project helped me land a new role with better pay and a much broader scope of creative, high-impact instructional design work. The program not only expanded my skills but also helped me see myself as a true learning professional.
What advice would you share with prospective LDT applicants?
My biggest advice is, don’t be afraid to invest in yourself! The LDT program doesn’t just give you the skills employers are looking for, it helps you build the confidence to advocate for yourself and your career. You’ll leave the program with a strong foundation in learning design, but also with something just as valuable, a supportive community of faculty and peers who truly care about your growth. It’s an encouraging network you can always turn to whenever you’re navigating new challenges or transitions in your career.
What were you balancing while participating in the LDT program?
While I was in the LDT program, I was working full-time and juggling all the things that come with personal life. On top of that, I had just started a new job that required travel and attending conferences ( a first for me), so life was definitely busy. But I never felt like the curriculum was impossible. It always felt manageable because I could complete my coursework from anywhere, whether I was at the airport or sitting at my kitchen table. The flexibility made such a difference, and the professors were incredibly supportive and understanding. The program is designed for working professionals, so even with a full plate, it always felt doable.
Who was your favorite instructor?
That’s a tough one, but I’d have to say Dr. Evans and Professor Lundeen. Dr. Evans was always so supportive and willing to be a sounding board whenever I had questions or ran into challenges, she truly made me feel seen and guided throughout the program. And Professor Lundeen’s class completely changed the way I think about learning design. It was the first time I was introduced to cognitive load theory, and her passion for the topic made it come alive. She really inspired me to become an advocate for learners and to design with intention because you can’t create as if learners have an infinite capacity for information.
How did you stay motivated throughout the program in the face of competing priorities in your life?
What kept me motivated was reminding myself why I started the program, to grow and open new doors in my career. Even when life got busy, I tried to stay focused on that bigger goal.
LDT Graduating Class:
2023