Deborah (Debby) Marindin, Ed.D. is an instructional designer, educator, and faculty development specialist with extensive experience in educational technology, course design, creativity and innovation, and project management education. She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Practices and Innovation and has worked across higher education, corporate training, consulting, and instructional technology leadership roles. She holds a Master of Science in Business and Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and English. She is also a Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma–certified, and a Certified Program Planner.
Dr. Marindin’s professional work centers on designing engaging, accessible, and evidence-based learning experiences that support both student success and faculty effectiveness. She has led instructional design initiatives, faculty professional development programs, and large-scale technology training efforts, with a strong emphasis on learning theory, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), accessibility, and quality course design.
Her work also includes the design and implementation of gamified learning experiences for First-Year Experience (FYE) students, where she creates interactive, scenario-based activities—such as digital scavenger hunts, escape-room–style challenges, and guided exploration modules—to help students navigate academic, campus, and support resources. These experiences are intentionally designed to reduce anxiety, increase engagement, and promote early student confidence, self-efficacy, and help-seeking behaviors.
Her research and scholarly interests include design-based research, simulation-based learning, creativity and innovation as structured and teachable processes, instructional design in health professions education, and the use of gamification to support student transition, engagement, and persistence. Dr. Marindin is particularly interested in how instructional innovations can improve learner engagement, confidence, and real-world application of knowledge. She is committed to fostering inclusive learning environments that encourage exploration, experimentation, and meaningful learning.