Joanne plays a significant role in researching and promoting the effective use of instructional technologies in the teaching and learning environment as well as working closely with faculty in the development of their face to face and online instruction. She is also the Program Director for the TAF Innovation Grants for the university, which promotes the effective and innovative use of technology in the learning environment.

Joanne also has experience as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Education, where she has taught both graduate and undergraduate pre service teachers how to utilize technology as a tool into their classroom curriculums. She was also involved in the implementation of the Center for Multimedia Arts at the FedEx Institute at the University of Memphis.

Joanne is a member of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) and was a past board member for the local American Society for Training & Development (ASTD). Prior to joining the Advanced Learning Center, Joanne was an Instructional Designer for Human Resources at the University and a classroom teacher for the Memphis City Schools.

She is currently pursuing an EdD in Instructional Design & Technology.