Education Studio | Writing Studio | Design Studio
“Mary is an enthusiastic, detail-oriented instructor who makes learning about web design and development a much more inviting experience. As a longtime print journalist eager to make a full leap to the web, Mary has made the transition far easier than I could have hoped. She’s very encouraging and energizes her students to follow through on their experimental instincts ... Mary constantly reminds us to keep our heads pointed toward the digital tech horizon.” — David Brandt, Digital Marketing and Communications Strategist
At Studio-MZ, the Education Studio is the heart of our work. We partner with institutions and organizations to deliver customized solutions that meet the demands of today’s learners. From instructional design to LMS integration, we ensure your programs are engaging, accessible, and impactful.
Case Studies Highlights:
Breaking the Cookie-Cutter Design in E-learning Interfaces
Client: Emory University Continuing Education (ECE), 2022
Challenge: Transform the learning experience within Canvas LMS to engage students with student-centric, accessible course designs.
Approach:
1) Customized LMS pages using advanced web programming.
2) Balanced, innovative course designs tailored to diverse learning styles.
3) Defined comprehensive learning goals and outcomes.
4) Developed dynamic, interactive interfaces.
5) Ensured accessibility and usability through thorough testing.
Outcomes:
• 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.
“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), 2007-2018
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:
1) Program Creation – The web team, composed of three web developers and myself, a designer, created the Web Design Certificate and Web Development Certificate, 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.
2) Key Course: Workflow That Works – 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.
3) Innovation and Evolution – Our team also developed a groundbreaking program, the Internet Marketing Certificate (renamed to the Digital Marketing Certificate), one of the first of its kind anywhere. The team updated the web programs 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 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 in our continuing education department at Emory, consistently breaking records for enrollment between 2007 and 2018.
• Mostly due to the popularity of the Introduction to Web Design and Development: Workflow that Works course, I set an historical record for the most annual course income from a single member of the faculty in 2007 and 2008.
“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
More case study highlights:
→ Web Design and Graphic Design Certificates (Southern Methodist University): Increased enrollment by 400% through innovative course development and smart marketing.
→ U.S. Army Public Affairs Training: Designed workshops to meet the unique needs of officers from around the country.
→ Newspaper Academy, University of Tennessee: Created a custom program that facilitated the academy’s digital transition, helping community newspapers adapt to the challenges of a shifting industry landscape.
→ U.S. Army Public Affairs Training: Designed workshops to meet the unique needs of officers from around the country.
→ Newspaper Academy, University of Tennessee: Created a custom program that facilitated the academy’s digital transition, helping community newspapers adapt to the challenges of a shifting industry landscape.
Thought leadership:
How Do You Balance Pedagogical Effectiveness With Budget Constraints in Educational Technology Projects?
Excerpt:
“When I redesigned our digital marketing certificate to be more advanced, innovative, and competitive — all online — one of my key challenges was balancing pedagogical effectiveness with budget constraints. The transformation of marketing, influenced by the digital age, goes beyond adopting new technology; it involves understanding how marketing philosophy itself has evolved. This was a crucial element in meeting the needs of a diverse student body.”
→ For more article contributions, please review more on the portfolio.
Explore how our solutions can elevate your learning initiatives.
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