Luke Ferrell · Higher education · Learning design
Education
At Rutgers University–New Brunswick I coordinate the First-Year Interest Group Seminars, train peer instructors and coach undergraduates. In New Jersey schools and arts centers I've taught theatre to students ages 6 to 18 since 2021.
I also founded and lead Ferrell Studios, a Metuchen performing arts organization, where I run the education programs and day-to-day operations. Across all of it, the idea is the same: design the learning so students own it.
1,600+ students
a year in the First-Year Interest Group Seminars I coordinate
70+ sections
supported with curriculum delivery, scheduling and course administration in Canvas
10 peer instructors
supervised each year through weekly advising, one-on-one meetings and classroom support
Ages 6 to 18
taught as a teaching artist in New Jersey schools and arts centers since 2021
01 · Higher education
First-year seminars, peer instructors and coaching
I support first-year students through their transition to college, train and supervise the peer instructors who teach them, and coach undergraduates one-on-one.
- 2024–nowProgram Coordinator, First-Year Interest Group SeminarsOffice of Career Exploration & Success
- 2025–2026Coadjutant Instructor, Peer Instructor EducationSpring 2025, Spring 2026
- 2024–nowAcademic CoachRutgers Learning Centers
- 2026Guest Lecturer, Introduction to Drama in EducationRutgers University
02 · Theatre education
Residencies and classes for students ages 6 to 18
Since 2021 I've directed, music directed and taught acting, improvisation, playwriting and technical theatre in New Jersey schools and arts centers.
- Highland Park High School
- Henry Hudson Regional School
- West Windsor Arts Center
- Milltown Recreation
- NJ Teen Arts
- Greater Brunswick Charter School
- JEC High School
- Middletown Arts Center
Some residencies are facilitated through Fresh Theatre Arts.
03 · Learning design
Curricula, courses and training programs
Curriculum design
Lesson plans, activities and full curricula for Rutgers seminars, international student transition courses and secondary theatre classrooms.
Sample curricula →Instructional design
Training programs and LMS-housed courses for higher education, workforce development and arts education, built on Backwards Design, Universal Design for Learning and Bloom's Taxonomy.
How I design learning →04 · Leadership & operations
Running a nonprofit arts organization
As Founder & Executive Director of Ferrell Studios since 2022, I lead the organization's education programs and operations. Before that, I was Artistic Director of Cabaret Theatre in New Brunswick, overseeing a season of four mainstage productions.
- 1,000+ students a yearreached by Ferrell Studios productions and education programs, alongside 1,500 audience members and 200 artists
- 1,200+ class sessions a yearfor students ages 7 to 18 in an online performing arts studio: registration, scheduling, curriculum and digital learning design
- Staff of 15budgeting, financial management, payroll, contracts, scheduling, training and compliance
- Internship programdesigned and run in partnership with the NJ Office of Higher Education, with placements in production, marketing and education
- Grants and developmentgrant proposals, donor acknowledgments and marketing for productions and programs
Education
Degrees
- In progressM.Ed., Learning, Cognition, and DevelopmentRutgers Graduate School of Education
- 2024B.A. Theater Arts, summa cum laudeRutgers UniversityMinors in Human Resource Management and History
Teaching philosophy
“I believe students learn most effectively when they have control over their own learning and when the environment functions as a collaborative space for inquiry, reflection, and constructing meaning.”
Work together
Get in touch.
Questions about my work, a program or a collaboration? Send a note and I'll get back to you. Resume available on request.