diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 74fc8fa..dda8578 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1 +1,10 @@
-# SpeakingInBitsWeb
\ No newline at end of file
+# SpeakingInBitsWeb
+
+## Logging as instructor in development
+To log in as an instructor in development, you can use the 
+following credentials:
+- Username: `DefaultInstructor`
+- Password: `Programming01#`
+
+*Note*: This account is only available in the development environment
+and seeded within `/Models/SeedData.cs`.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/SpeakingInBitsWeb.slnx b/SpeakingInBitsWeb.slnx
index 0e40db4..bfc03a1 100644
--- a/SpeakingInBitsWeb.slnx
+++ b/SpeakingInBitsWeb.slnx
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
 <Solution>
+  <Folder Name="/Solution Items/">
+    <File Path="README.md" />
+  </Folder>
   <Project Path="SpeakingInBitsWeb/SpeakingInBitsWeb.csproj" />
 </Solution>
diff --git a/SpeakingInBitsWeb/Models/SeedData.cs b/SpeakingInBitsWeb/Models/SeedData.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..61db0f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/SpeakingInBitsWeb/Models/SeedData.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Identity;
+
+namespace SpeakingInBitsWeb.Models
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Provides methods for seeding initial data into the database.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static class SeedData
+    {
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Creates all necessary roles in the system if they don't already exist.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="roleManager">The role manager service.</param>
+        public static async Task CreateRolesAsync(RoleManager<IdentityRole> roleManager)
+        {
+            string[] roles = ["Instructor", "Student"];
+
+            foreach (var role in roles)
+            {
+                if (!await roleManager.RoleExistsAsync(role))
+                {
+                    await roleManager.CreateAsync(new IdentityRole(role));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Creates a default instructor user if one doesn't already exist.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="userManager">The user manager service.</param>
+        public static async Task CreateDefaultUserAsync(UserManager<ApplicationUser> userManager)
+        {
+            string defaultEmail = "instructor@example.com";
+            ApplicationUser? defaultUser = await userManager.FindByEmailAsync(defaultEmail);
+
+            if (defaultUser == null)
+            {
+                ApplicationUser newUser = new()
+                {
+                    UserName = "DefaultInstructor",
+                    Email = defaultEmail,
+                    EmailConfirmed = true,
+                    FirstName = "Default",
+                    LastName = "Instructor"
+                };
+
+                // Ensure password meets password strength requirements
+                IdentityResult result = await userManager.CreateAsync(newUser, "Programming01#");
+
+                if (result.Succeeded)
+                {
+                    await userManager.AddToRoleAsync(newUser, "Instructor");
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/SpeakingInBitsWeb/Program.cs b/SpeakingInBitsWeb/Program.cs
index fad9f1e..76d988c 100644
--- a/SpeakingInBitsWeb/Program.cs
+++ b/SpeakingInBitsWeb/Program.cs
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 builder.Services.AddDatabaseDeveloperPageExceptionFilter();
 
 builder.Services.AddDefaultIdentity<ApplicationUser>(options => options.SignIn.RequireConfirmedAccount = true)
+    .AddRoles<IdentityRole>() // Add role support to Identity
     .AddEntityFrameworkStores<ApplicationDbContext>();
 builder.Services.AddControllersWithViews();
 
@@ -44,4 +45,15 @@
 app.MapRazorPages()
    .WithStaticAssets();
 
+#if DEBUG
+using (var scope = app.Services.CreateScope())
+{
+    var roleManager = scope.ServiceProvider.GetRequiredService<RoleManager<IdentityRole>>();
+    var userManager = scope.ServiceProvider.GetRequiredService<UserManager<ApplicationUser>>();
+
+    await SeedData.CreateRolesAsync(roleManager);
+    await SeedData.CreateDefaultUserAsync(userManager);
+}
+#endif
+
 app.Run();