Nairi Nicky Issagholian
Learning Design Consultant & ESL Professional
Nairi.Cal@gmail.com · 818-624-1450 · Los Angeles, CA
Professional Summary
Outcome-driven learning design consultant and ESL professional with 14+ years developing, implementing, and facilitating virtual and in-person training across nonprofit and higher-education settings. I build learning pathways and e-learning programs from the ground up — grounded in adult learning theory, trauma-informed instruction, and culturally responsive design — with deep experience in program and project management, stakeholder management, and curriculum development and revision.
Portfolio
I design human-centered training pathways, courses, and programs that solve challenges and close knowledge gaps. This portfolio highlights select trainings I've developed, facilitated, and managed — summarized for quick review.
Contents
Section 1 — Program, Course & Training Development
- 01E-Learning Workforce Development Trainings for In-Home Health Caregivers
- 02Workforce Development Training Pathways for In-Home Health Caregivers
- 03Career & Academic Readiness Training for International Scholars (USC)
- 04Job Readiness & Cultural Awareness Training (USC)
- 05ESL Listening & Speaking Pathways: Levels 1–5 (Cal State LA)
- 06Proyecta 100 / Proyecta Cien Mil (Cal State LA)
Section 2 — Onboarding & Professional Growth Training Development
- 07Onboarding Training for Subject-Matter Experts (SMEs)
- 08Onboarding Training & Workshops for Instruction Team
- 09Onboarding & Training Workshops for Newly Hired Instructors
- 10Trauma-Informed Instruction & Leadership Training
- 11Novice Instructor Job Readiness Training
Section One
Program, Course & Training Development
01E-Learning Workforce Development Trainings for In-Home Health Caregivers
Organization: Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA)
Program: CCA E-Learning Program — Co-Founder
Trainees: In-home health caregivers employed by In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
Tools: Articulate 360 (Storyline & Rise), Miro, Canva, Blackboard LMS, Google Suite, Zoom, Monday.com
Role & Responsibilities
- Served as e-Learning Consultant, Co-Founder, Lead Project Manager, Instructional Designer, and Lead Learning Experience Designer for self-paced healthcare modules.
- Co-founded the e-learning program from the ground up — introducing scenario-based learning frameworks and building the workflows, timelines, and roles that established its infrastructure.
- Oversaw course and content creation, SME training and management, and stakeholder collaboration end to end, using Articulate 360, Miro, and Canva.
- Created three asynchronous self-paced pathways (24 courses), converting synchronous courses to online formats rooted in adult-learning and instructional-design theory.
Key Achievements & Impact
- Pioneered the organization's first e-learning program.
- Broadened caregiver training reach with three self-paced programs (24 courses) spanning basic health & safety, Alzheimer's & dementia, and emergency & disaster preparedness.
- Reduced reliance on external partners — ~70% cost savings — by streamlining internal processes and serving in multiple roles.
Samples: CCA e-Learning Online Self-Paced Programs
02Workforce Development Training Pathways for In-Home Health Caregivers
Organization: Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA)
Program: Career Pathways Program (CPP) & IHSS San Bernardino
Trainees: In-home health caregivers employed by IHSS
Tools: Blackboard LMS, Canva, Zoom, Google Suite, Monday.com
Role & Responsibilities
- Served as Curriculum Consultant, Lead Instructor, Project Manager, and Instructional Designer across curriculum development (IHSS SB) and revision (CPP) — 332 courses in 7 languages.
- Built new courses and modules using problem-based (PBL) and scenario-based (SBL) learning models, and established curriculum-revision workflows, timelines, and roles.
- Trained and managed subject-matter experts from diverse backgrounds; taught vocational preparation courses ensuring caregiver job readiness in physical and emotional health & safety.
Key Achievements & Impact
- Led instructor/SME teams to revise 8 pathways (308 courses, 7 languages) in CPP and 3 pathways (48 courses, 2 languages) in IHSS SB.
- Created a reusable Curriculum Revision Framework that accelerated updates and kept content current and accurate.
Samples: Curriculum Revision Framework · Scenario-Based Course #1 · Scenario-Based Course #2
03Career & Academic Readiness Training for International Scholars
Organization: University of Southern California (USC)
Program: USC International Academy & Master of Accounting
Trainees: International MAcc scholars meeting language & cultural proficiency requirements
Tools: LMS, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Trello, Camtasia
Role & Responsibilities
- Served as Lead Instructional Designer and Instructor, managing end-to-end development and facilitation of a course immersing scholars in American work and academic culture.
- Defined goals and measurable outcomes (Bloom's Taxonomy) with aligned formative and summative assessments, and advised on structure, pacing, content, and delivery.
- Built program structure, workflows, lesson plans, and learner-centered activities grounded in adult-learning theory; taught using humanistic classroom management.
Key Achievements & Impact
- Expanded program offerings to serve international professionals transitioning into university programs.
- Designed and delivered all aspects of the course and graduated enrolled students.
Samples: Course Syllabus & Assignments · Course Outline & Detailed Lesson Plans
04Job Readiness & Cultural Awareness Training Course
Organization: University of Southern California (USC)
Program: USC International Academy
Trainees: International students from Japan in a summer study-abroad English program
Tools: LMS, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Trello
Role & Responsibilities
- Served as Lead Learning Design Consultant, Instructional Designer, and Instructor, leading end-to-end design and delivery of a career and academic readiness training.
- Defined outcomes (Bloom's Taxonomy) and assessments, and built structure, lesson plans, and learner-centered activities supporting immersion in work and university settings.
- Applied trauma-informed and humanistic teaching and advising to strengthen student belonging and well-being.
Key Achievements & Impact
- Delivered structure and content that brought 60 students to completion.
- Introduced instructional technology, co-creating a website tailored to the specific student population.
Samples: Course Syllabus · Program Site (co-created with students)
05ESL Listening & Speaking Pathways: Levels 1–5
Organization: California State University, Los Angeles
Program: English Language Program (ELP)
Trainees: International students enrolled in language-proficiency courses
Tools: LMS, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Trello
Role & Responsibilities
- Served as Curriculum Consultant, redesigning 10 courses (5 listening, 5 speaking) to convert curriculum from the 10-week quarter to the 16-week semester system.
- Aligned learning objectives to CEFR standards and drafted measurable objectives and assessments (Bloom's Taxonomy).
- Added pronunciation and conversational objectives alongside academic discourse; trained and mentored new instructors; integrated new delivery tools.
Key Achievements & Impact
- Converted all 10 courses and prepared instructors and curriculum for the new 16-week system.
- Increased course relevance by adding pronunciation and casual conversational practice.
Samples: Revised Speaking SLOs — Level 1
06Proyecta 100 (Proyecta Cien Mil)
Organization: California State University, Los Angeles
Program: English Language Program (ELP)
Trainees: International visiting scholars from Mexico (language + career readiness)
Tools: LMS, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Trello
Role & Responsibilities
- Served as Learning Design Consultant, Instructional Designer, and Instructor for a career and academic readiness training.
- Defined outcomes (Bloom's Taxonomy), built structure, workflows, and lesson plans, and designed learner-centered activities; selected textbooks and formative/summative assessments.
Key Achievements & Impact
- Delivered content and assessments leading to students' successful completion of the program.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to advance Proyecta 100's goal of building a knowledge economy in Mexico.
Section Two
Onboarding & Professional Growth Training Development
07Onboarding Training for Subject-Matter Experts (SMEs)
Organization: Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA)
Program: CCA e-Learning Program
Trainees: SMEs selected for e-learning module development projects
Tools: Camtasia, Zoom, LMS, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Monday.com
Role & Responsibilities
- Served as e-Learning Consultant, Lead Project Manager, Instructional Designer, and Learning Experience Designer.
- Built SME onboarding materials and authored the onboarding manual (processes, procedures, best practices); developed and facilitated engaging Zoom workshops.
- Defined SME and collaborator roles, created project workflows, and managed multiple projects simultaneously to meet timelines and deliverables.
Key Achievements & Impact
- Led staff onboarding and end-to-end course conversion.
- Converted instructor-led synchronous courses into engaging asynchronous self-paced eLearning, widening trainee access.
Samples: eLearning SME Onboarding Guide · Workflow & Processes · Sample Workshop Slides · SME Meeting Agenda
08Onboarding Training & Workshops for Instruction Team
Organization: Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA)
Program: IHSS San Bernardino (SB)
Trainees: Instructors for a workforce-development program
Tools: Camtasia, Canva, Zoom, Blackboard LMS, Google Suite, Monday.com
Role & Responsibilities
- Served as Program Lead and Project Manager over instructor onboarding, training, and program execution.
- Authored the instructor onboarding manual, produced asynchronous training videos, and designed and facilitated synchronous best-practice workshops.
- Built program curricula, defined roles, evaluated instructor performance with coaching and feedback, and ran continuous program revision.
Key Achievements & Impact
- Managed training, design, launch, and compliance end to end — 1,000+ graduates in year one, contract renewal, and new external funding.
- Earned local-news recognition for delivering relevant programs.
Samples: Instructor Manual — IHSS SB
09Onboarding & Training Workshops for Newly Hired Instructors
Organization: Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA)
Program: IHSS Career Pathways Program (CPP)
Trainees: Recently hired instructors
Tools: Camtasia, Google Slides / Drive / Forms, Zoom
Role & Responsibilities
- Served as Onboarding Mentor, delivering training in instructional technology, course content, and organizational policy.
- Built customized training plans, guides, and role descriptions; produced asynchronous training videos; facilitated staff-development meetings.
- Provided ongoing mentorship on curriculum practices, expectations, and organizational culture.
Key Achievements & Impact
- Designed orientation schedules and plans that guided new hires through a 90-day onboarding.
- Increased instructor retention by building rapport and easing integration into the organizational culture.
Samples: New Hire Orientation Schedule Template · Instructor Roles
10Trauma-Informed Instruction & Leadership Training
Organization: Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA)
Program: Career Pathways Program (CPP)
Trainees: All instructors assigned to teach in the CPP program
Tools: Camtasia, Google Slides / Drive / Forms, Zoom, Monday.com
Role & Responsibilities
- Served as Lead Instructional Designer, Instructor, and Project Manager for professional-growth workshops.
- Designed and facilitated virtual workshops on trauma-informed instruction and conflict resolution rooted in research-based mindfulness practices.
- Embedded trauma-informed perspectives across staff training, curriculum revision, and development to support psychological safety at work.
Key Achievements & Impact
- Trained 40+ instructors across 7 languages, improving conflict-resolution and classroom-management strategies.
- Earned local-news recognition, strong post-workshop survey results, and an invitation to lead guided meditation for 80+ at company retreats.
11Novice Instructor Job Readiness Training
Organization: California State University, Los Angeles
Program: MA in TESOL Graduate Program
Trainees: Graduate students training to become English language instructors
Tools: Mursion Mixed Reality, Google Slides / Drive / Forms, Zoom
Role & Responsibilities
- Served as Mentor Teacher preparing novice instructors for real-life teaching situations.
- Built work-readiness training with the department chair and hosted trainees in face-to-face and online classrooms with timely, relevant feedback.
- Implemented mixed-reality simulations in teacher training and conducted research to discover best practices.
Key Achievements & Impact
- Prepared novice teachers for their first assignments and pioneered simulation-based learning in MA TESOL programs.
- Published peer-reviewed research on mixed-reality simulation for language-teacher preparation, cited by later researchers.
Samples: "The Future is Now: Implementing Mixed-Reality Learning Environments as a Tool for Language Teacher Preparation"
Profile
Outcome-driven learning design consultant and ESL professional with 14+ years building, facilitating, and managing virtual and in-person training across nonprofit and higher-education settings. Expert in instructional design, curriculum development, and trauma-informed, culturally responsive learning — from e-learning programs built from the ground up to multilingual curriculum at scale.
Selected Experience
Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA)
[20XX – Present]
Co-Founder & Learning Design Consultant · Program Lead · Instructional Designer
- Co-founded and built the organization's first e-learning program from the ground up — three self-paced pathways (24 courses) — delivering ~70% cost savings.
- Led curriculum development and revision across the Career Pathways and IHSS San Bernardino programs — 332 courses in 7 languages — using scenario- and problem-based learning.
- Directed instructor onboarding, training, and program execution, yielding 1,000+ graduates in year one, contract renewal, and new external funding.
- Designed and facilitated trauma-informed instruction and leadership training for 40+ instructors across 7 languages.
University of Southern California (USC)
[20XX – 20XX]
Lead Instructional Designer & Instructor · International Academy
- Designed and delivered career and academic readiness training for international Master of Accounting scholars, immersing them in American work and academic culture.
- Built a job readiness and cultural awareness course that brought 60 students to completion, co-creating a custom program website with learners.
California State University, Los Angeles
[20XX – 20XX]
Curriculum Consultant · Instructional Designer · Mentor Teacher (ELP & MA TESOL)
- Redesigned 10 ESL listening and speaking courses, aligned objectives to CEFR, and led the 10-week quarter to 16-week semester conversion.
- Designed the Proyecta 100 readiness training for visiting scholars from Mexico.
- Pioneered mixed-reality simulation in MA TESOL teacher preparation and published peer-reviewed research on the approach.
Education
M.A., TESOL
California State University, Los Angeles
B.A., English
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Core Skills
- Instructional & learning experience design
- Curriculum development & revision
- Adult learning theory
- Trauma-informed instruction
- Culturally responsive design
- Scenario- & problem-based learning
- Assessment design (Bloom's, CEFR)
- Program & project management
- Stakeholder & SME management
Tools
Articulate 360
Storyline
Rise
Camtasia
Miro
Canva
Mursion XR
Blackboard LMS
Google Suite
Microsoft Office
Trello
Monday.com
Zoom
Publication
"The Future is Now: Implementing Mixed-Reality Learning Environments as a Tool for Language Teacher Preparation" — peer-reviewed; cited by subsequent researchers.