About Us

​Our Mission
To serve as the on-demand learning and development engine for organizations ready to innovate. Whether you're a university launching a new program, a district redesigning PD, or a corporation ready to upskill your workforce, we provide the strategic vision and operational muscle to make learning work.
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What We Do
We offer a full spectrum of learning design and leadership services, including:
  • Fractional CLO Partnerships
  • Curriculum and Program Development
  • Microlearning Design & Delivery
  • AI Ethics and Responsible Tech Integration
  • Faculty & Leadership Development
  • Human Performance Analysis
  • Accreditation & Quality Assurance

​Learning Leadership, Delivered.

At RU Institute, we are pioneering the future of learning. As a premier Fractional Chief Learning Officer (CLO) consultancy, we specialize in helping organizations unlock the full potential of their people through customized, scalable learning solutions that drive performance and transformation.

Led by Vision. Backed by Expertise.
Our founder, Dr. Timothy M. Stafford, is an award-winning futurist, full professor, and global consultant with over 30 years of experience in instructional design, digital pedagogy, and ethical leadership in education and workforce development. He has directed the design of over 1,000 courses and 200 academic programs, influencing learning environments across higher education, K-12 systems, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies.

Dr. Stafford’s leadership is rooted in Wonder and Invention—the genius of identifying what’s missi​ng and creating what’s next. He’s built learning systems for the American Institute of Architects, launched a global K-12 platform serving families in 27 countries, and pioneered instructional forensics™ to evaluate and elevate learning outcomes.
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​Our Team
​The RU Institute team brings together expert instructional designers, learning engineers, L&D strategists, and industry consultants with experience spanning education, corporate training, nonprofit development, and healthcare. We collaborate with your internal staff, SMEs, and leadership to create measurable, meaningful impact.

Our Values
  • Ethical Innovation: Grounded in AI ethics and equity
  • Learner-Centered Design: From heutagogy to hands-on micro-learning
  • Strategic Agility: Custom frameworks, scalable models
  • Servant Leadership: Humble, relational, effective
  • Global Perspective: Solutions for diverse learners in every sector​
Ready to Transform Your Learning Strategy?

We don’t just advise. We build. We teach. We deliver.
​Partner with RU Institute to align your learning vision with operational execution—without the overhead of a full-time CLO.