back to services > writing / design
STUDIO-MZ IS THE FUSION OF WRITING, DESIGN, AND EDUCATION. IT IS THE SPACE WHERE STORIES FIND RELEASE. EVERYTHING HUMAN IS A STORY — OF AN IDEA, A PERSON, HOPE, REALIZATION.
STUDIO-MZ IS THE FUSION OF WRITING, DESIGN, AND EDUCATION. IT IS THE SPACE WHERE STORIES FIND RELEASE. EVERYTHING HUMAN IS A STORY — OF AN IDEA, A PERSON, HOPE, REALIZATION.
EDUCATION STUDIO
I am an educator because I am a student.
Learning, growth, and progress follow the nexus of change. A tense struggle between the past and present gives way to what is next.
Learning, growth, and progress follow the nexus of change. A tense struggle between the past and present gives way to what is next.
CASE STUDIES
How to Forge a Career in Adult Education
Mary Zimnik’s journey into adult education at Emory University Continuing Education (ECE) showcases her fearless approach to learning, adapting, and improving. Starting with minimal experience, Mary proposed and developed 14 certificate programs, designed and taught 85 courses, and created 31 workshops over 20 years at two universities. Her innovative contributions include being the first faculty member at ECE to teach 100% online and pioneering groundbreaking instructional design. Mary's dedication has led to the success of thousands of graduates, establishing her as a subject matter expert in graphic design, web design and development, and digital marketing. Steven Bange, former program coordinator at ECE, praises Mary’s passion, professionalism, and personalized approach to teaching. Moreover, her exceptional work at Emory garnered attention from other institutions, leading to offers, including teaching at SMU.
Breaking the Cookie-Cutter Design in eLearning Interfaces
Client: Emory University Continuing Education (ECE), 2022
Challenge: Transforming the student learning experience within the Canvas LMS to create engaging, student-centric course designs.
Approach: This case study focuses on the ECE Digital Marketing: Build and Launch Better Multichannel Campaigns Certificate program.
• Leveraged web programming to customize LMS pages.
• Designed a balanced, innovative program accommodating various learning styles.
• Developed comprehensive learning goals and outcomes.
• Created a dynamic, interactive online interface.
• Conducted thorough testing for accessibility and usability.
• Designed a balanced, innovative program accommodating various learning styles.
• Developed comprehensive learning goals and outcomes.
• Created a dynamic, interactive online interface.
• Conducted thorough testing for accessibility and usability.
Outcomes:
Testimonial: “Bluntly, I have never taken instruction from a better trainer than Mary Zimnik. It is so very rare to find the combination of talents that Mary possesses. She designs intuitive trainings, delivers them with finesse, and her ability to communicate to all levels of skill is unmatched. Her training inspired me not only to continue to take classes, but to completely change my career. I highly recommend Mary Zimnik." — Davis Kirby, Leader with roles in Talent Development, Sales Training, Instructional Design, and LMS Management
• University-wide recognition and potential adoption of custom design.
• High enrollment and positive word-of-mouth.
• Consistent student feedback on engagement and retention.
• Significant student career advancements and quality project work.
• 100% graduation rate with high grades in winter 2024 term.
• High enrollment and positive word-of-mouth.
• Consistent student feedback on engagement and retention.
• Significant student career advancements and quality project work.
• 100% graduation rate with high grades in winter 2024 term.
Testimonial: “Bluntly, I have never taken instruction from a better trainer than Mary Zimnik. It is so very rare to find the combination of talents that Mary possesses. She designs intuitive trainings, delivers them with finesse, and her ability to communicate to all levels of skill is unmatched. Her training inspired me not only to continue to take classes, but to completely change my career. I highly recommend Mary Zimnik." — Davis Kirby, Leader with roles in Talent Development, Sales Training, Instructional Design, and LMS Management
How a Set of Web Certificates Made History at Emory
Client: Emory University Continuing Education (ECE), 2007-2013
Challenge: How to create a set of web certificates during the Great Recession designed to help students from all backgrounds switch to new careers.
Approach: The web team, comprised of three web developers and myself, a designer, created the Web Design Certificate and Web Development Certificate in 2007, specifically for students who had suffered dramatic job losses and could not return to their previous careers. We designed programs from the ground up that would enable graduates to hit the ground running and find work immediately. There were four tracks, with the popular Introduction to Web Design and Development: Workflow that Works course (which I designed and taught) being a requirement for all. In 2012, our team also developed a groundbreaking program, the Internet Marketing Certificate (renamed in 2015 to Digital Marketing Certificate), one of the first of its kind anywhere. The team updated the web programs in 2013 to create foundational and advanced versions.
Outcomes:
• The Introduction to Web Design and Development: Workflow that Works course became one of the most sought-after ever. It crossed over several certificates and was also offered in open enrollment. It was in such high demand that additional sections often had to be added to accommodate the waiting list.
• Many graduates from the web certificates often returned to enroll in the new Internet Marketing (Digital Marketing) Certificate. This catapulted many graduates to rich new careers or promotions. Even today, they continue to be successful and leaders in their fields.
• The web programs were among the most popular and successful at ECE, consistently breaking records for enrollment from 2007 to 2018.
• Mostly due to the popularity of the Introduction to Web Design and Development: Workflow that Works course, I set a historical record for the most annual course income from a single member of the faculty in 2007 and 2008.
Testimonial: “I have had the pleasure of working with Mary at Emory since 2006. Mary is an excellent instructor and mentor whose primary focus is always her students. Mary has been the driving force behind Emory’s highly successful Web [Design and Web] Development Certificates. Many of Mary’s students come through my classes and they all have wonderful things to say about her classes and dedication to her industry.” — Paul Dunlop, Developer and Technical Trainer
I have thousands of cherished memories in education (literally, after 20+ years of teaching). I could write volumes describing my amazing students — all my fondest memories. There is nothing quite as humbling as learning that my students had far more to teach me than I them.
Let's talk about your project:
Thank you! We'll get back to you shortly.