COURTNEY
RAY
Learning & Design Strategist
Designing experiences. Empowering learners. Scaling impact. I combine technical strategy with a human-centered lens to build programs and services that support diverse audiences.
Learning Experience Design
Translating my subject matter expertise into intuitive digital pathways designed for maximum knowledge transfer and retention.
Translating my subject matter expertise into intuitive digital pathways designed for maximum knowledge transfer and retention.
Utilizing an eLearning authoring suite to support blended learning.
Visual Design 101
Utilizing an eLearning authoring suite to support blended learning.
Visual Design 101
Solving operational bottlenecks by redesigning the information architecture of a robust website.
IA Redesign
Solving operational bottlenecks by redesigning the information architecture of a robust website.
IA Redesign
User Experience Strategy
Aligning business and learning goals with user needs through intentional workflows that reduce friction and enhance human-centered engagement.
Aligning business and learning goals with user needs through intentional workflows that reduce friction and enhance human-centered engagement.
Visual/Graphic Design
Translating abstract concepts into clear, high-fidelity visual narratives that command attention and improve cognitive processing.
Translating abstract concepts into clear, high-fidelity visual narratives that command attention and improve cognitive processing.
Research & Support
Synthesizing data-driven insights and evidence-based methodologies improve decision-making and validate program impact.
Synthesizing data-driven insights and evidence-based methodologies improve decision-making and validate program impact.
Technical & Professional Skills
With ten years of cross-functional experience, my skills empower me to call upon creative design and programmatic strategy to deliver measurable impact for learners and organizations alike.
Discover curated works that inspire and deliver impact, showcasing creativity, functionality, and design excellence.
Design Software
Adobe Creative Suite 9 Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat), Canva, Figma
01
Design Software
Adobe Creative Suite 9 Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat), Canva, Figma
01
Design Software
Adobe Creative Suite 9 Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat), Canva, Figma
01
eLearning Authoring
Articulate Rise, Adobe Captivate
02
eLearning Authoring
Articulate Rise, Adobe Captivate
02
eLearning Authoring
Articulate Rise, Adobe Captivate
02
People & Content Mangement
LMS, CRM, SIS, Mentorship & Coaching, Digital Asset Managemen
03
People & Content Mangement
LMS, CRM, SIS, Mentorship & Coaching, Digital Asset Managemen
03
People & Content Mangement
LMS, CRM, SIS, Mentorship & Coaching, Digital Asset Managemen
03
Program & Outreach Management
Cross-functional leadership, Strategic Communication, Needs Assessment, AI Literacy
04
Program & Outreach Management
Cross-functional leadership, Strategic Communication, Needs Assessment, AI Literacy
04
Program & Outreach Management
Cross-functional leadership, Strategic Communication, Needs Assessment, AI Literacy
04
About Me
About Me
Courtney
I’m a learning and design strategist focused on creating human-centered experiences that help people learn, collaborate, and navigate complex systems. I am always looking for ways to use technology to help people understand new and complex information. I enjoy working at the intersection of strategy, design, and operations by anticipating challenges, communicating clearly, and building tools and workflows that actually make people’s lives easier.
Research Project Manager/Curriculum Specialist
University of Maryland
2025 - Present
Instructor/ Student Program Assistant
University of Maryland
2025-Present
Graduate Student Services Coordinator
North Carolina State University, College of Design
2021-2024
Admissions Graduate Assistant
North Carolina State University, Poole College of Management
2019-2020
Graphic Designer
Human Rights Campaign
2018-2019
Research Project Manager/Curriculum Specialist
University of Maryland
2025 - Present
Instructor/ Student Program Assistant
University of Maryland
2025-Present
Graduate Student Services Coordinator
North Carolina State University, College of Design
2021-2024
Admissions Graduate Assistant
North Carolina State University, Poole College of Management
2019-2020
Graphic Designer
Human Rights Campaign
2018-2019
What People Say
Over the past 10 years I have had the honor of working with skilled, and professional colleagues. Here are a few things they had to say about me.
What People Say
Over the past 10 years I have had the honor of working with skilled, and professional colleagues. Here are a few things they had to say about me.
I worked with Courtney at the NC State College of Design. She was an amazing project manager—always one step ahead. She kept all of the grad programs up to speed and supported grad students as they moved through the College. She also did a fantastic job creating tools that grad directors could use to allay future issues. I highly recommend her.
Helen Armstrong
Colleague from Student Coordinator role
Courtney was fantastic to work with! Her designs were always gorgeous, thoughtful, and inclusive. I could always count on Courtney to speak up and express her thoughts, but also maintain an open-mind. She was a hard worker, fast learner, and always eager to help however she was needed. Courtney went out of her way to collaborate with people and was an active part of the Human Rights Campaign’s corporate culture. She lead designs for HRC’s HBCU programs and was a pivotal part of HRC’s many fundraising and activist endeavors. I know Courtney will succeed in anything she puts her mind to, and will do so with an incredible amount of empathy and dedication.
Ashley Sudney
Colleague from in-house Graphic Designer Role
In the fall of 2019, I had the opportunity to hire a graduate assistant to work with the NC State Poole College of Management undergraduate admissions team. Courtney Ray was selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, and from day one she exceeded expectations. Her eagerness to learn was immediately evident, and within weeks she was confidently leading information sessions, training student leaders, and taking ownership of new initiatives. Courtney has a rare ability to quickly evaluate information, identify opportunities for improvement, and make thoughtful, data-informed decisions - skills that are impressive at any career stage.
Bonnie Yarboro
Supervisor for College Admissions GA role
I worked with Courtney at the NC State College of Design. She was an amazing project manager—always one step ahead. She kept all of the grad programs up to speed and supported grad students as they moved through the College. She also did a fantastic job creating tools that grad directors could use to allay future issues. I highly recommend her.
Helen Armstrong
Colleague from Student Coordinator role
Courtney was fantastic to work with! Her designs were always gorgeous, thoughtful, and inclusive. I could always count on Courtney to speak up and express her thoughts, but also maintain an open-mind. She was a hard worker, fast learner, and always eager to help however she was needed. Courtney went out of her way to collaborate with people and was an active part of the Human Rights Campaign’s corporate culture. She lead designs for HRC’s HBCU programs and was a pivotal part of HRC’s many fundraising and activist endeavors. I know Courtney will succeed in anything she puts her mind to, and will do so with an incredible amount of empathy and dedication.
Ashley Sudney
Colleague from in-house Graphic Designer Role
In the fall of 2019, I had the opportunity to hire a graduate assistant to work with the NC State Poole College of Management undergraduate admissions team. Courtney Ray was selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, and from day one she exceeded expectations. Her eagerness to learn was immediately evident, and within weeks she was confidently leading information sessions, training student leaders, and taking ownership of new initiatives. Courtney has a rare ability to quickly evaluate information, identify opportunities for improvement, and make thoughtful, data-informed decisions - skills that are impressive at any career stage.
Bonnie Yarboro
Supervisor for College Admissions GA role
I worked with Courtney at the NC State College of Design. She was an amazing project manager—always one step ahead. She kept all of the grad programs up to speed and supported grad students as they moved through the College. She also did a fantastic job creating tools that grad directors could use to allay future issues. I highly recommend her.
Helen Armstrong
Colleague from Student Coordinator role
Courtney was fantastic to work with! Her designs were always gorgeous, thoughtful, and inclusive. I could always count on Courtney to speak up and express her thoughts, but also maintain an open-mind. She was a hard worker, fast learner, and always eager to help however she was needed. Courtney went out of her way to collaborate with people and was an active part of the Human Rights Campaign’s corporate culture. She lead designs for HRC’s HBCU programs and was a pivotal part of HRC’s many fundraising and activist endeavors. I know Courtney will succeed in anything she puts her mind to, and will do so with an incredible amount of empathy and dedication.
Ashley Sudney
Colleague from in-house Graphic Designer Role
In the fall of 2019, I had the opportunity to hire a graduate assistant to work with the NC State Poole College of Management undergraduate admissions team. Courtney Ray was selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, and from day one she exceeded expectations. Her eagerness to learn was immediately evident, and within weeks she was confidently leading information sessions, training student leaders, and taking ownership of new initiatives. Courtney has a rare ability to quickly evaluate information, identify opportunities for improvement, and make thoughtful, data-informed decisions - skills that are impressive at any career stage.
Bonnie Yarboro
Supervisor for College Admissions GA role