Crystal Boson, PhD
academicexpats@gmail.com
Beginning my career in public Higher Education has allowed me to develop, utilize, and enhance strong abilities and skills in content creation and editing, curriculum development, long and short term project planning/management, and an eye for detail. I have extensive experience designing curriculum and managing academic courses utilizing educational technologies. I am now a usability specialist and researcher who is passionate about universal design. I enjoy the challenge of incorporating human factors in new and uncommon areas to help solve problems, improve usability, and ensure accessibility for all.
Areas of Expertise:
-Usability/Human Factors research methods
-Rapid survey development and assessment
-Development and usability testing of accessible interfaces
EXPERIENCE
XXXXXXXXX-Washington, DC
Program Analyst – September 2015 to present
Key Achievements:
- Researched and designed a series of resource documents for our client that were distributed in web, paper, and video format to all participating national partners
- Provided my expertise in educational research, curriculum development, and training to accelerate research project completion rate by 60%.
- Functioned as an academic Subject Matter Expert and liaison for educational training program for a contract with a government agency
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY – Corvallis, OR
Assistant Professor – August 2014 to September 2015
Key Achievements:
- I proposed and secured $10,000 in external funding for research
- I presented complex research at three national and six regional conferences during the academic year
- I designed and implemented 4 new courses using established and experimental educational technology
My duties included analyzing, editing and evaluating over 700 complex documents under aggressive deadlines, designing and presenting curriculum for face-to-face and e-learning classrooms, supervising and training junior scholars, and managing multiple online learning environments. I developed and managed five course curriculums utilizing educational technology, specifically the Canvas and Blackboard Learning Management Systems (LMS). I also collaborated with peers on three, nationally based research projects, and created an electronic archive for digital and tangible artifacts. In addition, I designed and implemented a new training course for Canvas, the university’s E-Learning system.
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS – Lawrence, KS
Instructional Designer/ Researcher/ Instructor – August 2010- June 2014
Key Achievements:
- I proposed and secured $78,000 in internal/external funding over 4 years
- I designed and executed an examination protocol for comprehensive exams that is currently being utilized as an examination template
At the University of Kansas, I managed multiple, simultaneous long and short research projects aimed at synthesizing large amounts of information. For these projects I created quantitative and qualitative data charts and reports based on multiple data points and utilized data mining and mapping software. These tools were leveraged to communicate complex information in easily understandable language and formats. As a Remote Instructor and Instructional Designer, I researched, designed, presented, moderated, and evaluated the first Distance Learning, LMS based course for a specific humanities based program. The course I designed has been used as the template for the department for the last two years.
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY – College Station, TX
Instructional Designer/Instructor - September 2006 to June 2010
My duties included designing quality metrics based curriculum, managing educational technology and Learning Management Systems (LMSs), and creating research based electronic content for multiple educational settings. As a junior scholar, I analyzed, edited and evaluated hundreds of complex documents annually, under aggressive timelines. In addition, I collaborated with other junior scholars to represent Texas A&M University at nine national and regional conferences and symposiums.
COLDWELL BANKER UNITED REALTORS – Bryan, TX
Office Manager – September 2007 to April 2009
Key Achievements
- I designed and maintained a digital statewide database for approximately 1000 agents
- I created digital hiring and training documentation that is currently being utilized by Coldwell Banker United
In addition to being responsible for creating and maintaining the digital database for Coldwell Banker United’s 1000, Texas based realtors, I produced multiple training manuals for the digitizing the agent licensing process, hiring documentation, and managed agent terminations for 28 office across the state of Texas.
EDUCATION
University of Kansas – Lawrence, KS
PhD: American Studies - 2014
Texas A&M University – College Station, TX
Masters: English - 2008
University of Missouri-Columbia – Columbia, MO
Bachelors of Arts: English - 2005
SKILL SUMMARY
DESIGN SPECIFIC: InDesign, Axure, ADDIE Model, E-Learning Platforms, Learning Management Systems, Curriculum Design and Evaluation, Seminar Planning and Evaluation, Course Design, Presentation Creation and Delivery
COMPUTER SKILLS: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, SharePoint, Educational Technology and Learning Management Systems (LMS), Adobe Professional Suite, Captivate Social Media, Prezi Presentation Software
SKILLS: Project Management, Wireframing, Actionable Research, Group Discussion Facilitation, Persuasive Speech and Communication, Technical Writing, Cross Discipline and Field Collaboration, Subject Matter Expert (SME) Collaboration, Managing Stakeholders, Qualitative and Quantitative Research, Quality Matters Rubrics, Document Creation and Editing
