DoIT’s Susan Biro Selected to QM Academic Advisory Council

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 14:37:00 -0500
biro, online-learning, qm, qmaac, quality-matters

DoIT's Manager of Online Learning, Dr. Susan Biro, has been selected to serve on the Quality Matters Academic Advisory Council (QMAAC) for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2024. The Council provides guidance to and oversight of the programmatic directions and initiatives of Quality Matters.

QMAAC members represent an institution or organization's interests and viewpoint to QM; provide guidance on QM to ensure QM's long-term sustainability and success; help to review new initiatives and act in an advisory role for new projects; and disseminate QM-related information, materials, and opportunities to others.

Biro came to UMBC in May 2019 as Coordinator, Online Learning with more than 20 years of experience in distance education, including accreditation, program management, faculty support, and online student support and retention.

"I was introduced to Quality Matters early in my higher education career," said Biro. "QM has been an integral part of how we do the important work of supporting faculty in designing effective online and hybrid learning environments. It's an honor to have been selected and I look forward to working with my QM colleagues on initiatives and projects."

Biro currently serves as one of UMBC's QM Coordinators. She is also QM-certified as a Course Review Manager, a Peer Reviewer, and Independent Online APPQMR Facilitator.

About the QM Academic Advisory Council

Created in 2004 during the grant phase of Quality Matters, the Council has evolved in purpose and composition. The QMAAC's 15 members include representatives of QM subscriber schools, QM senior staff, and online and blended learning leaders who provide a national perspective.

The Council is chaired by Dr. Morris Thomas, Assistant Provost for Digital and Online Learning and Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Assessment at Howard University.

Biro is one of five new members selected to serve on QMAAC. The others are Julian King, M.Ed., Instructional Designer & Quality Matters Coordinator, Center for the Advancement of Learning, University of the District of Columbia; Katherine McAlvage, Ph.D., Associate Director, Faculty Development and Support, Oregon State University; Antoinette R. Miller, Ph.D., Professor and Department Chair, Psychology, Clayton State University; and, Alicia Reed, Director of eLearning and Instructional Innovation Center, Laredo College.

About Quality Matters at UMBC

A total of 18 faculty have earned Quality Matters certification of their online or hybrid courses following rigorous peer reviews as part of the Quality Matters Impact (QMI) program. To date, more than half of the QM-certified courses in the University System of Maryland are from UMBC.

For more information about Quality Matters at UMBC, including course reviews, please contact Dr. Susan Biro (sbiro@umbc.edu).