Larry Swiader, a Syracuse University alumnus, has developed a career at the crossroads of storytelling, education, and technology. He began his journey in television production at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and now serves as chief digital officer at the American Battlefield Trust.
Swiader combines media expertise with instructional design to make history accessible to diverse audiences. His path led him from Syracuse to Greece, where he merged media and education. Returning to Syracuse for further studies in instructional design honed his skills in technology-assisted learning.
He has worked with organizations like UPS and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, creating engaging educational content. At Power to Decide, he led the development of Bedsider.org, focusing on behavior change through effective media use.
Currently at the American Battlefield Trust, Swiader employs emerging technologies such as AI to enhance historical education. He emphasizes understanding problems before choosing tools: “Empathy belongs at the center of instructional design.”
Swiader is excited about The Liberty Trail project in New York state, which will include mobile battlefield tours. He advises students: “Write well… Let the problem guide the solution.”
