For 2025, the Learning Design Summer Camp will have a welcome address given by Liz Huck, and a panel of speakers for the keynote address. The panel is designed as a forward-looking conversation about the future of instructional design, both at Penn State and across higher education. The three speakers, Chris Gamrat, Chris Millet, and Heidi Watson-Held, will bring their perspectives, research, and lived experiences to help frame what’s next for the field and how we, as an instructional design community, can lead that evolution.  This panel is not just about forecasting; it’s about offering clarity, inspiration, and actionable insights for a community of designers who are eager to grow in both confidence and impact. Below is an introduction for each speaker.

Chris Gamrat

Dr. Chris Gamrat is an associate teaching professor. His research interests include inclusive design, micro-credentials/digital badges, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. He holds three degrees from Penn State: a doctorate in learning, design, and technology; a master’s of education in instructional systems; and a bachelor’s degree in management information systems. He also serves as Penn State’s EDUCAUSE ambassador. Before joining the College of IST, Gamrat served as an education technologist for NASA’s Aerospace Education Services Project (AESP).

 

 

Chris Millet

Chris Millet is the Acting Associate Vice Provost for Online Education, Faculty Engagement, Penn State Online Education.  He has a diverse background in education and software development, including instructional design, teaching, educational technology, programming web and mobile applications, data analysis with python, and training machine learning models. He serves on the Administrative Council on Undergraduate Education (ACUE) and co-chairs the Penn State Online Coordinating Council. He received his B.A. in Integrative Arts and M.Ed. in Instructional Systems from Penn State and is currently a PhD candidate in the College of Education at Penn State.

 

 

 

Heidi Watson-Held

Dr. Heidi Watson-Held is an Instructional Designer in the eLearning Design Innovation Group in the Smeal College of Business. She has worked for the Pennsylvania State University for 25 years in program design, development, and delivery in a variety of capacities.

She completed a D.Ed. in Administration and Leadership – Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  In addition, she received her M.Ed. in Adult Education from Pennsylvania State University. She has been teaching for Purdue University in their Learning Design & Technology program in the department of Curriculum and Instruction since 2016.

 

 

 

 

Liz Huck

Dr. Liz Huck is the Director of Statewide Instructional Design for Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses with the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and an Instructional Designer at Penn State Hazleton. In her current role, she collaborates with learning designers, faculty, IT professionals, and academic leaders across the campuses to enhance teaching and learning in courses taught in a variety of modes.  With nearly a decade in instructional design experience and a background in K–12 education, she focuses on creating inclusive and engaging learning experiences. She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a focus on Educational Technology.