Jon Hughes is a senior instructional designer with the University of Pittsburgh Center for Excellence in Digital Education (Pitt EDGE). His work focuses on course and program design, faculty collaboration, and the development of engaging, research-informed online and hybrid learning experiences. His professional interests include instructional evaluation, process improvement, project management, and the refinement of design procedures to enhance the learner experience.
Hughes has worked in instructional design and educational technology for over ten years, leading cross-unit design initiatives and mentoring other designers to ensure quality and consistency across programs. He has extensive experience managing complex online course projects from concept to completion, aligning pedagogical goals with innovative technologies, and supporting faculty in applying evidence-based teaching strategies for diverse learners.
Before joining Pitt EDGE, Hughes served as an instructional designer at Penn State University’s College of Information Sciences and Technology. In that role, he guided high-impact course and program development projects, established processes for evaluating instructional effectiveness, and advanced data-informed design practices throughout the college.
Hughes is passionate about creating high-quality, sustainable learning environments that empower both instructors and students. He enjoys blending creativity, structure, and research-based design to improve teaching and learning outcomes. Outside of work, he enjoys playing guitar, spending time with his family, and exploring new music.
- MA in Adult Education and Communications Technology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- BA in History, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
