Holly Basteyns

Holly Basteyns is an instructional design leader, educator, and faculty developer whose work focuses on evidence-based teaching, accessibility, and the thoughtful integration of learning technologies in higher education. Holly serves as Assistant Director of Instructional Design for the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University, where she leads the Teaching and Learning Center. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for instructional design, faculty development, accessibility, and educational technology initiatives that support faculty and graduate teaching assistants across one of the nation's largest life sciences programs.

Since joining Arizona State University in 2022 as a Learning Technology Specialist, Holly has advanced into a leadership role, expanding the reach and impact of the Teaching and Learning Center through faculty development, graduate teaching assistant preparation, accessibility initiatives, instructional technology, and course design. She teaches BIO 530: Scientific Teaching, BIO 531: Advanced Scientific Teaching, and BIO 598: Teaching Assistant Professional Development, preparing graduate students and future faculty to implement effective, learner-centered teaching practices. She serves on Arizona State University's CIRTL Steering Committee and the Instructional Design Quarterly Professional Development Committee, helping advance professional learning for instructional designers across the university.

Before transitioning to higher education, Holly worked as a high school English teacher, teacher librarian, instructional coach, and online educator. These experiences continue to shape her collaborative approach to instructional design, emphasizing practical strategies that help instructors create engaging, accessible, and meaningful learning experiences.

Holly earned a Doctor of Education in Education and Leadership with a Higher Education concentration from Rockhurst University, where she also completed a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership. Her doctoral research examined how higher education institutions can better prepare and support blind and visually impaired students to independently navigate learning management systems using screen readers. Holly also holds a Master of Education in Educational Technology and graduate certificates in Instructional Design and eLearning.

A strong advocate for active learning, accessibility, and continuous improvement in teaching, Holly enjoys partnering with educators to create innovative learning experiences that foster student success, belonging, and persistence. In recognition of her contributions to inclusive teaching and learning, she received Arizona State University's 2025 Catalyst Award from the Committee for Campus Inclusion.