When you enroll in Boise State University’s online Master of Science in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning (OPWL), you’re not just taking the next step in your career; you’re also signing up to learn from and connect with the department’s highly credentialed faculty and staff. Joining the team and leading a new research and development lab — Learning Systems and Design — is Victoria Abramenka-Lachheb, Ph.D.
With more than a decade of experience teaching instructional design, instructional technology and communication, as well as several research awards and 35 publications, it is an understatement to say that Abramenka-Lachheb has an impressive background.
To get to know her better, we asked what led her to a career in instructional design and learning and development, what incoming students can expect from participating in her lab and her opinion on the future of the field.
Changing lives through instructional design
Teaching in higher education first opened Abramenka-Lachheb’s eyes to the life-changing effect of intentional coursework for students, which ignited her passion for designing more meaningful learning experiences. She then took it a step further through specialized research on developing effective instructional strategies and problem solving within education and the workforce.
“Over time, I became equally committed to the role of research in this work. Rigorous research provides us with the tools to examine learning and performance challenges from multiple angles, not just through the lens of instruction, but by understanding systems, people, processes and context. I believe in a holistic approach to learning and performance improvement — one that is informed by evidence, responsive to context and recognizes that effective solutions rarely come from a single intervention,” she said.
Research in action
Abramenka-Lachheb’s Learning Systems and Design Lab will give OPWL students the opportunity to participate in her ongoing research studying how learning occurs within complex systems — such as in diverse workplace and organizational settings.
“Our work is grounded in real-world contexts and contributes to research that supports data-driven, inclusive and context-aware decision-making in learning and development,” she said.
By bridging instructional design, human-computer interaction, user experience and ethical use of artificial intelligence, the goal is to reveal the root cause of performance issues and generate better learning outcomes.
“In the Learning Systems and Design Lab, students are not just learning to ‘do’ design, they’re learning to ask thoughtful questions, consider ethical implications and contribute to scholarship that aims to bring real-world application,” Abramenka-Lachheb added.
The lab will have four core directions with individual focus areas. Abramenka-Lachheb kindly shared a preview of the first section:
Design of authentic learning in the age of AI: We investigate how AI can support personalized, adaptive and contextually-rich learning experiences across diverse workplace settings.
Focus areas:
- Designing real-world, authentic learning experiences supported by AI
- Exploring how AI tools can adapt to different learner needs and contexts
- Critically evaluating the promises of AI through evidence-based research
- Promoting access, equity and meaningful engagement in AI-supported learning environments
Redefining the field of instructional design
The OPWL program covers far more than outsiders or newcomers realize:
“A common misconception is that instructional design is just about creating slides, or that workplace learning is only about training. In reality, this field is about understanding how people learn, how organizations function and how to improve performance in sustainable, human-centered ways. It’s interdisciplinary, analytical, and strategic, more about solving problems than delivering content.
“In addition to mastering core instructional design and performance improvement practices, I encourage students to explore skills that give them an edge, like applied data science, basic coding for data analysis or learning analytics. Even foundational skills in these areas can empower you to analyze complex problems and communicate insights more effectively.
“Equally important are leadership, collaboration and emotional intelligence. This field is ultimately about people: Helping them learn, grow and perform, so the ability to navigate interpersonal dynamics with empathy and clarity is just as essential as technical expertise,” Abramenka-Lachheb said.
A rewarding career path
“In addition to mastering core instructional design and performance improvement practices, I encourage students to explore skills that give them an edge, like applied data science, basic coding for data analysis, or learning analytics. Even foundational skills in these areas can empower you to analyze complex problems and communicate insights more effectively. Equally important are leadership, collaboration and emotional intelligence.
“This field is ultimately about people: Helping them learn, grow, and perform, so the ability to navigate interpersonal dynamics with empathy and clarity is just as essential as technical expertise. Watching students develop this level of insight and confidence is incredibly fulfilling,” Abramenka-Lachheb said.
Advice for OPWL hopefuls
As for a final message for the new class of OPWL experts, Abramenka-Lachheb shared the following guidance:
“Stay curious and don’t rush to a solution. Learn to diagnose problems thoroughly, ask good questions and explore multiple ways to support performance, including non-training solutions. Also, build comfort with data, even if you’re not a data scientist. Being able to interpret evidence — qualitative or quantitative — will help you stand out and make better decisions.”
Learn more about the Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning program
Earning an online Master of Science in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.