A Course Built to Last: Lyndsey McMahan Earns National Recognition for Innovative Online Design
Lyndsey McMahan, assistant dean of teaching and innovation at Boston University School of Social Work, had a clear goal when she set out to build MP783: Planning and Program Development for the Online Master of Social Work Program. She was not just designing a course. She was designing an experience.
That commitment paid off this spring. McMahan, working in partnership with Matthew King, an instructional designer with BU Virtual, received the 2026 Blackboard Exemplary Course Award, a national recognition honoring faculty and instructional designers for outstanding course design within the Blackboard learning management system.
The Exemplary Course Program evaluates submissions using the Blackboard Exemplary Course Rubric, assessing courses across four areas: course design, interaction and collaboration, assessment and learner support. MP783, a required course for macro social work students, prepares students to plan, design, implement and evaluate programs that address complex social challenges in diverse community settings. Grounded in equity, anti-oppressive practice and stakeholder engagement, the course equips students with practical tools to develop sustainable and impactful social change initiatives. Offered through Boston University Virtual in Spring 2026, it met the high bar set by all four areas.
Dr. Lisa Clark, associate vice president of academic transformation, announced the honor on behalf of the Exemplary Course Program Committee. “Their work is instrumental in shaping the future of education and stands as a testament to excellence in course design,” Clark said.
“The award underscores the power of collaboration between faculty and instructional designers,” McMahan said. “The approaches and strategies used throughout this course will continue to influence the design of BUSSW online offerings, fostering ongoing excellence and innovation in teaching and learning.”
With nearly two decades of experience spanning international development, organizational planning, leadership development and DEI, McMahan brings a global perspective to her work at BUSSW. She is also co-hosting an international conference in Lusaka, Zambia, in January 2027, exploring social work’s role in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more and submit a proposal here.
The 2026 Blackboard Exemplary Course Award adds to a growing record of excellence at BUSSW, where faculty and staff continue to push the boundaries of what social work education can look like, in person and online.
Learn More about Lyndsey McMahan