Graduate Student Assembly
DDL Board Representative

Holly Fiock
Purdue University


As a full-time instructional designer at Purdue University (Purdue Online), you could say that distance learning is literally ‘my job.’ As your GSA Representative to DDL, I will represent and serve AECT students, professional instructional designers, and the DDL division representatives - helping to build the professional community between DDL and the GSA population using my uniquely qualified skills. First, I am interested in bridging the gap between research and practice – helping all to use and leverage evidence-based strategies in their online courses through effective design, development, and implementation of online courses. Second, I currently work with multiple stakeholders to take all views into consideration –listening, taking notes, managing meetings and expectations, and understanding each different viewpoint. A project I’m extremely proud of was leading our online Master’s program to use digital badge based professional competencies. This project required managing eight faculty with varying viewpoints and requests; developing new, redesigned courses; and creating digital badges and all student supplementary learning materials.

As I reflect on my experiences from attending past AECT Conventions, I realize I have made numerous connections helping to expand my knowledge and love of ID and research. These connections, especially through informal conversations, have been invaluable to my growth and development as a researcher, a practicing instructional designer, and a contributing member of the community. Attending DDL events has led to an increased awareness of trends in the field. Additionally, by connecting with other graduate students through GSA events (Career Enhancement, Meet & Greets, and social media pages), I have already connected to a group of like-minded individuals who push me to better myself as both a contributing member to the organization but also as a person.

Personally, my personality and work-ethic make me uniquely qualified to serve in this role. First, as a graduate student, I love being able to communicate and work with others in the field to help push instructional design to the forefront of all online course developments. A recent article I published (Designing a Community of Inquiry in Online Courses) has given me the opportunity to convey to others how instructional design and the use of evidence-based practices should simultaneously be considered when developing online courses. Being able to speak to different populations on a topic I am passionate about has been a life changing opportunity. Secondly, I have served on many student and college committees: Purdue’s student LDT organization (as Treasurer), Purdue College of Education’s safety committee (student representative), as well as managing Purdue LDT program’s social media pages and online student centers (housed in our University’s LMS). When I’m passionate about something, I know that I can truly make changes, a difference in my community; and therefore, I am extremely excited to serve in this role and would appreciate your support. I look forward to serving both GSA and the larger AECT Organization by working as your GSA Representative to DDL for the 2021-22 year. Thank you!


Address: 320 W. 8th Street, Suite 101
Bloomington, IN 47404-3745
Toll Free: 877-677-2328
Phone: 812-335-7675
Email: aect@aect.org