Rae Mancilla, Ed.D.
Rae Mancilla, Ed.D., is a highly accomplished leader in higher education, currently serving as the Executive Director of Digital Learning and Innovation at the University of Pittsburgh. With over a decade of experience in digital education, Rae specializes in designing, scaling, and sustaining online and hybrid academic programs. Her expertise spans instructional design, program evaluation, digital accessibility, and the strategic integration of technology to enhance learning across institutions. She has led numerous cross-campus and enterprise-level initiatives, including university-wide transformations in learning environments and the reorganization of instructional design teams to better align with strategic goals.
Beyond her administrative leadership, Rae is an active educator and researcher, with teaching experience at institutions including Duquesne University and Indiana Wesleyan University. Her work often focuses on mentoring instructional designers and advancing digital accessibility in online and hybrid education. Rae also collaborates on national-level projects, such as editing a forthcoming Routledge volume on professional development for instructional designers in higher education. A bilingual educator fluent in English and Spanish, Rae brings both a global perspective and a deep commitment to inclusive, equitable learning environments.
• Higher Education Peer Reviewer
• Invited Research Colleague
• Invited Scholar
• K-12 Peer Reviewer
• Bryn Mawr College- B.A.
• Duquesne University- M.Ed.
• Duquesne University- Ed.D.
• Vice Chair for Quality Matters Instructional Design Association
• Master Reviewer for Quality Matters
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my career success to a combination of persistence, adaptability, and a deep commitment to continuous learning as I transitioned from K–12 education into higher ed leadership. My expertise in online program development, digital accessibility, and learning design—along with opportunities to publish, present, and mentor—has allowed me to grow and lead in a rapidly evolving field.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to stay flexible and open to continuous learning—embracing diverse design projects and evolving with the field has been key to my growth and success.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the digital learning and education technology field is to be a lifelong learner, embrace diverse projects to sharpen your skills, and prioritize ethical, collaborative work. Build a strong network—learning from peers across disciplines and cultures will expand your perspective and opportunities.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in digital learning is standing out in a saturated online education market while designing programs that reflect an institution’s unique strengths. There’s also increasing pressure to recruit skilled instructional designers and to meet the diverse needs of cost-conscious, multigenerational online learners.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are transparency, teamwork, ethical decision-making, and strong communication—both in my professional collaborations and personal relationships.