Presenter Bio - Javier Motta-Mena

Javier Motta-Mena is currently serving as a Digital Credential Specialist at the University of Arizona and was most recently an integral part of the creation of the University of Texas- Austins Badging Initiative.

Javier has a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and is passionate about leveraging micro- credentials to create and enhance educational opportunities for all learners. He has been immersed in the world of digital badging at UT Austin since mid-2020. During this time, Javier was an integral part of the Committee that led the creation of UT Austin’s Badging Initiative. Additionally, in his role as Educational Technologist at the McCombs School of Business, he led the technical implementation of the Badging Initiative at McCombs, designed all of McCombs existing digital badges, and helped shape the school’s long-term digital badging strategy. Javier is deeply committed to ensuring that badging programs are created in an equitable and inclusive manner.

Javier is currently pursuing a second Master of Education degree at Arizona State University, with a focus on Learning Design and Technologies. He believes that for micro-credentials to be well-designed, one must follow the same kind of intentional and iterative process used to design learning content. Furthermore, Javier aims to develop expertise in the field of accessible and inclusive digital learning, such that his work is as inclusive and equitable as possible for all learners and earners.

Javier’s prior experience in Higher Education includes multiple roles in the Continuing & Professional Education space in Engineering. Prior to that, he was an Engine Systems Engineer at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI.