Profile for

Jacqueline Mitchell, Ed.D.

Digital Learning and Technology Consultant

Jacqueline Mitchell is a two-time alumna, educational researcher, and Digital Learning and Technology Consultant at East Texas A&M University. Having walked this campus as both an undergraduate and graduate student, she has now partnered with faculty and designers to build engaging, accessible course environments and architect state-certified initiatives like the Ethical AI Literacy in Higher Education program (Texas DIR #148 & #310). Whether empowering higher education faculty with innovative course frameworks or equipping educators with practical AI workflows to resolve complex challenges, Jacqueline’s passion is designing solutions that remove barriers and put the focus back on student success.

A conversation with Jacqueline

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending East Texas A&M?

Choosing East Texas A&M means joining an institution that invests deeply in your future from day one. As an alumna, I know our campus pairs forward-thinking academic programs with an accessible community that treats you as an emerging colleague rather than just a face in a lecture hall. You will be challenged to innovate, supported through complex concepts, and equipped with industry-relevant credentials that set you apart.

What do you like most about your career?

I love seeing the progress and tangible impact that happens when we design accessible, highly engaging learning experiences in the digital environment. Building thoughtful online course spaces opens meaningful doors for students across all academic levels and varied stages of life. Empowering learners to succeed wherever they are while equipping faculty with the right digital tools to make that possible is the most rewarding part of my work.

How do you help students at East Texas A&M?

I help students by collaborating with faculty and our instructional design team to integrate high-impact technology into university courses. Guided by the 4×4 design framework introduced by our director, Samuel Bachert, our work ensures digital learning spaces are engaging, modern, and accessible. Everything we build is focused on advancing the university’s student-ready mission across the digital landscape.

How has your role changed since you began working at East Texas A&M?

My path evolved from an undergraduate student into a graduate alumna and now an institutional strategist shaping digital pedagogy and emerging technology initiatives. Having navigated this campus as a student across multiple degree levels, I bring that lived experience directly into my work as generative AI and new modalities reshape higher education. Today, beyond course design guidelines and faculty development, I focus on building programs that position East Texas A&M as a statewide leader in responsible innovation.

Tell us a little about yourself (educational background, research interests, etc.)

I hold an Ed.D. in Leadership and Innovation, an M.Ed. from East Texas A&M, and state administrative and special education credentials. My doctoral research empirically examined adaptive learning tools and STAAR reading outcomes, validating that intentional technology integration drives authentic academic gains. Translating research into actionable systems has always defined my work, whether co-founding the Center for Excellence, a K–5 program supporting over 40 students with significant behavioral needs in its first two years, or delivering the IEP Academy and SDI Academy to school districts statewide. That same commitment was front and center at the 2026 Alaska MTSS Conference, where co-presenting our R.A.C.E. prompt architecture enabled practitioners to jump 64% in practical tool-building skills, moving from basic awareness to drafting compliant PLAAFPs and measurable IEP goals on the spot. Seeing educators unlock immediate workflows to solve high-stress compliance challenges reaffirmed my core mission across both K–12 and higher education: designing practical tools that remove administrative burdens and give educators their time back for students.

Educational Background

• Ed.D., Leadership and Innovation, Purdue University Global, 2025
• M.Ed., Educational Administration, East Texas A&M University, 2023
• B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2018

Awards and Honors

• Featured Educational Leader, Reach! Magazine, Region 10 Education Service Center, highlighted for compliance turnaround systems and behavioral intervention models, Fall 2025

Professional Organizations

• EDUCAUSE
• Texas Digital Learning Association (TxDLA)
• Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education (TCASE)