Bonnie Budd

Biography

Dr. Bonnie Budd is an entrepreneurial leader committed to improving the quality and reputation of online teaching and learning experiences. As the Design Manager at WGU Academy, she leads a small and agile product team to create world-class learning experiences to help close the opportunity gap. Prior to this role, she was the Director of Online Learning at Bryant University, where collaborated with faculty in the creation of the University's first online degree program, the Professional MBA, and taught the Strategies for Success course for new online learners. Before this, as a member of the Teaching and Learning Lab at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, she incorporated design frameworks and evaluation strategies with teaching teams across the School, including the University’s first online certificate program, the Certificate in Advanced Education Leadership.

Dr. Budd runs a freelance learning design studio, Course Kitchen, which creates custom online learning experiences for the world's best companies. She earned her B.S. in Mathematics from Salve Regina University, M.A. in Adult Education from the University of Rhode Island, and Doctor of Education from Northeastern University. Her dissertation focused on adult student motivation in online learning.

EDUCAUSE Publications

  • 7 Things You Should Know About Online Program Management
    • Briefs, Case Studies, Papers, Reports
    • Contributor

    Online program management (OPM) refers to the practice of contracting with external, third-party organizations that help colleges and universities develop and deliver online degree or certificate programs. Some OPM options are based on a “tuition revenue share” model in which a vendor provides services in exchange for a share of revenues. Others are based on a fee-for-service model. OPM is often used to jumpstart an online presence for institutions that do not have that capacity in-house.

  • Online Learning: The Benefits and Pitfalls of Third-Party Partnerships
    • Blog
    • Author

    Deciding whether to develop or outsource the expertise and technological infrastructure necessary to launch an online degree program requires a thorough evaluation of costs and careful consideration about which approach will provide a solution that aligns with institutional mission, values, and culture.

EDUCAUSE Presentations