Indianapolis, IN — 11/24/2025
The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) proudly announces the 2025 class of Addie Kinsinger Leadership Development Interns, a distinguished group of emerging leaders in the field of educational communications and technology. These individuals were selected for their exceptional leadership potential, scholarly promise, and dedication to advancing the mission of AECT through service, research, and innovation.
The Addie Kinsinger Leadership Development Internship Program identifies graduate students and new professionals with significant potential to serve as future leaders of AECT and in the broader educational technology community. Interns are selected through a competitive process emphasizing prior leadership experience and a strong vision for professional growth within the organization.
During the 2025 AECT International Convention in Las Vegas, the interns engaged in a coordinated series of leadership development sessions, networking events, and behind-the-scenes experiences with AECT leadership. Each intern is also paired with a mentor to support their continued professional growth and participation within the association throughout the following year.
2025 Addie Kinsinger Leadership Development Interns
Earl F. Strohbehn Intern
Nesma Nasr, Ph.D. Candidate, Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Technology, Northern Arizona University
Nesma specializes in literacy, instructional design, and bilingual/multicultural education, with over 12 years of K–12 and higher education experience. She serves in leadership roles within AECT’s Learner Engagement Division and AERA’s Graduate Student Council, and was recently recognized as Outstanding Ph.D. Student in Curriculum and Instruction at Northern Arizona University.
“Being selected as an Earl F. Strohbehn Intern is a privilege that links me to a rich legacy of mentorship and service at AECT,” Nasr shared. “This opportunity underscores my dedication to advancing educational technology and contributing to the AECT community.”
Cochran Interns
Hyojung Kim, Ph.D. Student, Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University Bloomington
Kim’s research explores problem-solving processes and metacognitive development during expertise formation. She looks forward to “networking with leading scholars, engaging in conversations that contribute to academic growth, and collaborating on an intern project that makes a lasting impact.”
Haley Kinney, Assistant Director of Educational Learning Technologies, Kansas City University; Ph.D. Student, Oklahoma State University
Kinney focuses on instructional design in health professions education and advancing engagement in online and blended environments. “Being selected as an intern is both an honor and an exciting opportunity to grow as a leader within AECT,” she said.
Qi Guo, Research Associate, University of Utah
A recent Ph.D. graduate from Brigham Young University, Guo’s research centers on technology-enhanced learning and community support for engagement. “Serving as an AECT intern allows me to gain hands-on experience from respected leaders while contributing to the advancement of EdTech research and practice,” Guo noted.
Harris Interns
Timothy Okunoye, Ph.D. Candidate, Industrial Technology, Instructional Design, and Community College Leadership, Mississippi State University
Okunoye’s research examines how innovative technologies enhance STEM education. “Being selected as an AECT intern is both an incredible honor and a humbling experience,” he said. “AECT is a community that provides opportunities for growth and impact in education.”
Jialin (Regina) Yan, Ph.D. Student, Teaching & Curriculum, University of Rochester
Yan’s work explores artificial intelligence in education, equity, and literacy practices. “Being selected as an AECT intern allows me to deepen my engagement with a community of scholars and practitioners dedicated to advancing educational technology.”
Elizabeth (Beth) Willoughby, Ph.D. Student, Instructional Design, Idaho State University
Willoughby is a district librarian and active AECT leader, serving on multiple committees and community organizations. “Being an intern demonstrates AECT’s recognition of the importance of higher education and its practitioners,” she said. “I am honored to represent them as an intern.”
Jenny Johnson Intern
Sihan Jian, Ph.D. Student, Instructional Systems & Learning Technologies, Florida State University
Jian’s research focuses on online course design, learning analytics, and digital literacy for adult learners. As the Jenny Johnson International Intern, she shared, “AECT is a vibrant organization that values the contributions of emerging scholars. I am honored to support its global community of EdTech researchers and professionals.”
About the Addie Kinsinger Leadership Development Internship Program
The Addie Kinsinger Leadership Development Internship Program is supported by the AECT Internship Committee in collaboration with the AECT Awards Committee and the AECT Foundation. The program provides hands-on leadership training and mentorship to graduate students and early-career professionals, fostering the next generation of leaders in educational communications and technology.
Interns participate in exclusive professional development events, assist in convention operations, and collaborate on a group project addressing organizational needs within AECT. Following the convention, each intern continues their leadership journey as a member of the AECT Internship Committee.
About AECT
The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is an international organization that values diversity of thought, culture, and people, with a mission to improve learning through educational technology. AECT members include instructional designers, researchers, educators, and professionals dedicated to advancing the field through research, best practices, and innovation. AECT provides a collaborative space for thought leadership and knowledge-sharing across academic and professional settings.