Leonia Houston, MBA, MS

Instructional Learning Designer, Clinical Investigations and Applied Biomedical Data Sciences MS Programs

Leonia Houston joined St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School in December 2024 as an Instructional Learning Designer. In this role, she collaborates with faculty and subject matter experts to design and develop innovative, accessible, and engaging learning experiences that support graduate education. She ensures courses leverage best practices in instructional design, technology integration, and adult learning principles, enhancing faculty teaching effectiveness and student success.

Leonia brings over 15 years of experience in instructional design, faculty development, and learning strategy. She holds a Master of Science in Instructional Technology from Mississippi State University and an MBA from the University of Memphis, equipping her with a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic leadership in curriculum development. Prior to joining St. Jude, Leonia managed large-scale online learning initiatives at the Tennessee Board of Regents and the University of Memphis, where she led course development, LMS administration, and instructional technology training.

Her expertise spans Canvas LMS, Articulate Storyline, Adobe Creative Cloud, video production, and learning analytics. She is passionate about supporting faculty through instructional design mentorship, improving online course quality, and implementing innovative learning solutions that drive engagement and knowledge retention.