Kevin Shepard designs accessible, scalable learning experiences that empower learners to succeed.
This page illustrates a portfolio of courses and trainings developed by Kevin.
Online BA Courses
Personal Financial Literacy
Developed and instructed a comprehensive, experiential financial literacy course for undergraduate students, blending technical skills like budgeting and investing with emotional awareness around money habits and values. This course emphasized the psychology of money, somatic practices, and self-reflection. The design integrated both academic financial education and contemplative personal growth work, using Canvas modules, multimedia, discussions, assignments, and quizzes to encourage deep, lasting learning
Financial Literacy eLearning Course
Challenge
Design an accessible, self-paced eLearning course to teach adult learners the fundamentals of budgeting, saving, and credit management.
Action
Developed a series of Canvas modules incorporating micro-learning videos, interactive quizzes, and real-world case studies, designed for diverse learning styles and adult learners.
Result
Learners reported greater confidence in managing personal finances.
Introduction to Leadership
Partnered with the faculty lead to transform Naropa’s “Exploring Leadership” course into a dynamic online learning experience. Rooted in experiential and contemplative pedagogy, this course uses readings, reflective journaling, small group projects, and embodiment practices to guide students through leadership theory and practice across multiple lenses such as Leading Self, Leading Others, Leading Teams, and Leading Communities. Helped scaffold the course for maximum engagement, integrating modern leadership theories with mindfulness and somatic awareness.
Escape Room Activity: Oregon Trail Simulation
Challenge
Create a highly engaging, collaborative learning activity to develop teamwork and critical decision-making skills in a virtual environment.
Action
Designed an interactive “Escape Room” simulation using Google Forms, based on the Oregon Trail experience, along with a 75-point rubric to evaluate teamwork, decision-making, and communication.
Result
Most students reported improved collaboration skills, and feedback highlighted increased engagement compared to traditional virtual activities.
Psychedelic Therapies
In collaboration with faculty experts, supported the instructional design and Canvas development of Naropa’s introductory Psychedelic Therapies course. This project centered on sensitive, emergent topics in therapeutic practice, and required close alignment with contemplative education methods and inclusive pedagogy. Contributions included structuring course content for accessibility, creating module pathways, and ensuring the integration of current research, reflective writing, and experiential exercises.
Psychedelic Therapy Course: Warrior Exam (Contemplative Activity)
Challenge
Support the launch of an innovative undergraduate-level course on psychedelic-assisted therapy, ensuring content sensitivity, academic rigor, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Action
Collaborated closely with subject matter experts to design a Canvas-based online course, integrating scholarly readings, case studies, multimedia lectures, and reflective assignments. Developed rubrics aligned with professional and ethical competencies.
Result
The course launched successfully with high enrollment and retention, and post-course evaluations showed majority of students rated the course content as highly relevant to their academic and professional goals.
Faculty and Staff Trainings
Online BA Student Orientation
Redesigned and expanded Naropa’s Online BA New Student Orientation course in Canvas to better support non-traditional and distance learners. The course introduces incoming students to academic resources, technology tools, inclusive community values, and contemplative practices foundational to Naropa’s mission. The focus was on creating a welcoming, accessible, and clear onboarding experience, combining multimedia resources, support service navigation, and community forums to set students up for success.
Online BA Orientation Course
Challenge
Design an accessible, engaging online orientation to prepare new undergraduate students for success in a fully online learning environment.
Action
Developed a self-paced Canvas course that included interactive modules on academic policies, technology navigation, success strategies, and student support services. Integrated multimedia elements and knowledge checks to increase engagement.
Result
Orientation completion rates exceeded 90%, and survey feedback indicated that 88% of participants felt better prepared to begin their academic journey after completing the course.
Faculty and Staff AI Working Group
Collaborated with faculty and academic leaders to design and launch the AI Working Group course shell in Canvas. The project emphasized co-creation, inviting participants to build a shared resource library and engage in open discussions about the evolving role of AI in higher education. Structured the space around key module topics such as AI Ethics, Mindfulness and AI, Critical Digital Pedagogy, and Environmental Impacts. The design followed Open Space Technology principles to foster exploration, conversation, and organic resource development.
Staff and Faculty AI Working Group
Challenge
Provide staff and faculty with foundational knowledge of generative AI tools and best practices for responsible, ethical use in higher education environments.
Action
Designed and facilitated a self-paced Canvas course for staff and faculty participants, covering AI concepts, emerging tools (such as ChatGPT), ethical considerations, and case study discussions. Included optional live Q&A sessions and resource libraries for ongoing exploration.
Result
87% of participants reported increased confidence in discussing and integrating AI tools into their professional work, and several departments initiated their own AI policy development efforts as a direct result of the training.
Minimal Canvas Use Training Course
Developed the Canvas LMS Faculty Training Course at Naropa University to onboard and support new and adjunct faculty.
The course provides step-by-step guidance on course setup, grading, accessibility standards, and inclusive teaching practices, helping instructors create high-quality, student-centered online learning experiences.
Asynchronous Canvas LMS Training for New Faculty
Challenge
Equip new faculty with essential Canvas LMS skills to confidently design and deliver online courses, while offering flexible learning to accommodate diverse schedules.
Action
Developed an asynchronous Canvas training course featuring self-paced modules, guided tutorials, and hands-on activities. Provided optional individualized support sessions for instructors seeking additional help.
Result
Within three months, Canvas support tickets from new faculty dropped by 30%, and majority of participants reported feeling more confident using Canvas in their course evaluations.
Best Practices Manual
Distilled instructional design standards rooted in contemplative education, accessibility, and student-centered learning as a member of the Office of Educational Technology. The best practices manual serves as a comprehensive guide for Naropa’s online faculty, outlining strategies for evergreen course development, learner engagement, accessibility, diversity and inclusion practices, and digital pedagogy. This work supported the Naropa University Title III initiative and beyond to expand global access to contemplative, high-quality online education.