The Kent State educator has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field of quality online education at the higher education level
Dr. Amy Grincewicz has been named Senior Research Colleague for Quality Matters (QM). This title serves to recognize the outstanding effort and quality of work performed by Grincewicz in her years of research collaboration with Quality Matters. Grincewicz accepted this new distinction on January 2, 2024.
The Quality Matters Research Colleagues is a group of educators that supports QM by conducting, presenting, writing, and publishing research on online learning. Research Colleagues also contribute to the body of research that supports the QM Rubric and framework, propose QM-focused research projects and professional development, and provide consultation for research-focused inquiries. Dr. Grincewicz’s new role as Senior Research Colleague will be focused on leading nationwide, collaborative research efforts for online program design and QA implementation. “The Senior Research Colleague plays a vital role in fostering the culture of inquiry and evidence within QM and the quality assurance community, and supports the continuation of a credible and trustworthy ethos for QM,” says Dr. Deb Adair, Chief Executive Officer for QM.
Grincewicz received the title of Senior Research Colleague in acknowledgement of her many contributions to the Quality Matters community and the field of quality digital education at large. She has served as a QM Research Colleague since 2022, during which time she organized research cohorts within the QM Ohio system. She also serves as a QM Coordinator — or institutional liaison — for Kent State University, a QM-Certified Facilitator for online and face-to-face professional development, and the QM Ohio Course Review Manager. She has participated in dozens of QM peer reviews on both sides of the process — serving on review teams and submitting her courses for review, including leading the design and QM Program Review of Kent State’s Online MBA. She is also a member of the QM Instructional Designers Association.
In 2022, Grincewicz was formally recognized when she received the QM Directors’ Award for Exceptional Service to Quality Matters. Dr. Bethany Simunich, QM’s Vice President of Innovation and Research, notes that “Dr. Grincewicz has been a vital colleague for instructional design and quality assurance for many years, both as a researcher and a practitioner. It is her work in both of these areas that uniquely positions her to lead community-focused projects that will yield research-supported resources for quality improvement.”
Grincewicz is the Director of Instructional Design for Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Kent State University. Throughout her career, she has authored/co-authored more than 21 publications related to online quality assurance and presented at dozens of conferences, including the annual QM Connect conference, and become known as an important voice for online quality assurance. She sees her new appointment as an important step on her trajectory. “This advancement not only validates my past efforts and expertise, but also provides a renewed sense of purpose and motivation to pursue ambitious objectives,” she says. “As I continue this journey, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and the potential for making a positive impact through my research efforts.”
About Quality Matters
Grounded in research. Driven by best practices. A community that puts learners first. Quality Matters (QM) is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments. It provides a scalable quality assurance system for online and blended learning used within and across organizations. When you see QM Certification Marks on courses or programs, it means they have met QM Course Design Standards or QM Program Review Criteria in a rigorous review process.