Melanie Glennon

About Melanie Glennon

I come to every role as both an educator and a strategist—building academic systems, operational frameworks, and learning models that scale. Over the course of my career, I’ve moved from the classroom to the C-suite—not by following a traditional path, but by solving complex problems with thoughtful design, strong teams, and learner-centered strategy. Whether leading accreditation efforts, redesigning course portfolios, or launching frameworks like StraighterLine’s LEAP Learning Model, I stay focused on what matters most: learning outcomes, academic integrity, and scalable impact.At StraighterLine, I’ve led a full-scale curriculum transformation, introduced an AI Fluency Framework shaping how learners engage with AI in assessments, built a high-performing global team, and developed operational systems that increased learner satisfaction and efficiency by 40-50%. Having worked across K–12, higher education, and the workforce sector, I know how to design pathways that truly work—for institutions, partners, and learners; I believe that relationships drive trust and transformation.I’m passionate about:* Leading with integrity—doing the right things for the right reasons* Designing academic systems that expand equity, opportunity, and learner success at scale* Driving innovation that empowers lifelong growth and keeps education relevant in a changing world* Cultivating relationships and forging partnerships

Experience

1. Chief Online Learning Officer

   Straighterline

   Nov 2024 — Present · Arlington, VA, US

   Created and implemented StraighterLine’s LEAP Learning Framework, a transformative model for self-paced, mastery-based education that measurably improves student outcomes—driving NPS scores of 60–70 and completion rates upwards of 75% in key courses.*Drove a full catalog transformation: migrated every StraighterLine course into a modern theme powered by our learning model, and transitioned 60%+ of the catalog from costly licenses to owned content—delivering millions in savings and a dramatically improved student experience.* Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, shaping corporate strategy and driving StraighterLine’s academic and AI transformation in learning design and operations.* Led a reorganization of academic operations, shifting grading, course design, and content development from traditional processes to scalable, AI- and data-informed models.* Guide strategic initiatives across the catalog—including pre-nursing, ECE, and AI literacy—ensuring alignment with ACE recommendations, DEAC, NCCRS, IACET, and partner university pathways.* Drive cultural and capability shifts through change management, upskilling, and internal advocacy, embedding academic integrity and innovation across the organization.

Education

• The George Washington University - Graduate School of Education and Human Development

  Doctoral Study in Education Leadership (2 Years)

• Indiana University of Pennsylvania

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD

• Florida State University

  Bachelor of Science (BS)

• The George Washington University - Graduate School of Education and Human Development

  Master of Education (M.Ed.)