Santa Pastorius is a senior instructional designer at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Excellence in Digital Education (Pitt EDGE). Santa manages instructional design projects and collaborates with faculty to design and develop highly effective and engaging online courses and educational materials for the adult learner.
With over 16 years of experience in higher education, she has held roles in instructional design, educational technology, curriculum development, faculty and student support, and teaching. Her work includes contributions to academic program development and evaluation, as well as close collaboration with institutional and program-level accreditation processes to ensure alignment with quality standards and regulatory requirements.
- MA in Curriculum & Instruction (Adult Learning & Training), Point Park University
- BA in Journalism & Communications, Point Park University
- Professional certificates in instructional design, e-learning, and course evaluation from Quality Matters and the Association for Talent Development (ATD)
Education & Training
Santa’s research interests include instructional design, accessibility in digital learning, instructional alignment, and the effective use of emerging educational technologies. Areas of focus include adopting new tools and technologies, refining design processes, and developing sustainable, high-quality learning environments that support pedagogical goals and diverse learner needs.
