Solving University Training Challenges: Rethinking Onboarding, Learning, and AI

Effective onboarding requires more than delivering information—it should give learners opportunities to practice, receive coaching, and build confidence. Siesonn Fontaine, Director of Training and Quality at University of Maryland Global Campus, shares how her team uses structured onboarding, continuous improvement, and AI to create more effective learning experiences.

Show Notes:

Siesonn Fontaine explains how to build a supportive onboarding and nesting program using data, feedback, continuous improvement and AI. Her top takeaways include:

• Effective onboarding should provide opportunities for learners to apply new knowledge—not simply absorb information.
• A structured nesting period can help new employees build confidence while receiving coaching and feedback in a safe environment.
• Training programs should evolve through a combination of performance data, learner feedback, leader input, and ongoing observation.
• The right learning solution depends on the problem an organization is trying to solve—not on a preferred modality.
• AI can help L&D teams work more efficiently, but strong foundational knowledge, human judgment, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment remain essential.

About Siesonn Fontaine:

Siesonn Fontaine is the Director of Training and Quality for the Office of Financial Solutions at University of Maryland Global Campus. In her role, she leads learning and quality initiatives that support financial solutions professionals throughout the employee lifecycle.

Her work focuses on building practical learning experiences that help employees apply complex information with confidence. She is especially interested in just-in-time learning, coaching, performance support, leadership development, and creating opportunities for employees to learn through practice and reflection.

Siesonn is also an advocate for thoughtful experimentation in learning and development. She encourages her team to test new approaches, learn from what works and what does not, and use emerging technology, including artificial intelligence, to create more effective and engaging learning experiences.

She holds a master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and brings more than a decade of experience in higher education, with a background spanning learning and development, leadership, training, and quality.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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