Kent State University’s commitment to quality online education is being recognized on a national stage.
Dr. Amy Grincewicz, Director of Instructional Design at Kent State University, has been selected to present a Quality Matters (QM) Success Story titled “Building Excellence: An Iterative Approach to QM Program Certification.” The session was one of the top-ranked presentations at QM Connect, earning it the distinction of being featured as an official QM Success Story webinar.
The presentation will take place on January 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET and will highlight a strategic path to Quality Matters Program certification.
A Strategic Approach to Program Quality
Dr. Grincewicz’s session introduces a practical, building block approach to strengthening online degree programs—one that meets institutions where they are and supports continuous improvement over time. Instead of treating quality assurance or program certification as a one-time achievement, this model encourages teams to work through each Quality Matters (QM) program criterion step by step, allowing programs to grow and evolve in a thoughtful, manageable way. This approach helps institutions:
- Focus on progress rather than perfection
- Align quality efforts with student needs, faculty engagement, and institutional priorities
- Make meaningful improvements without becoming overwhelmed
Participants will also learn how to develop an action plan and identify strategies they can apply within their own programs right away. Through real-world examples, visual storytelling, and practical tools, Dr. Grincewicz demonstrates how an iterative approach to quality can:
- Strengthen collaboration across teams
- Support leadership engagement and alignment
- Build sustainable systems for long-term success
The result is a flexible framework that helps institutions move from foundational practices to more advanced, integrated approaches—creating online programs that are resilient, student-centered, and built for lasting excellence.
National Recognition for Kent State Online Leadership
Being selected as a QM Success Story is a significant honor. These sessions spotlight institutions whose practices demonstrate innovation, effectiveness, and leadership in quality assurance for online and blended learning. That Kent State’s approach was chosen—and ranked among the top presentations at QM Connect—speaks to the strength of the work being done across instructional design, faculty development, and program leadership.
As Dr. Grincewicz explains, quality in online programs “is not a checklist applied at the end of course design; it is a continuous, systemic process that prioritizes coherence, equity, and improvement across all program elements."¹
Join the Session
All faculty, program coordinators, and staff involved in online program development are encouraged to attend.
Building Excellence: An Iterative Approach to QM Program Certification
Presented by: Dr. Amy Grincewicz, Director of Instructional Design, Kent State University
Date: January 21, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Format: Free webinar (QM Success Story) Registration*
*Can’t make it live? No problem — register to receive the recording after the session, or create a QM account to explore past Success Story presentations.
What Quality Matters Means at Kent State
At Kent State University, Quality Matters (QM) is more than a badge — it’s a framework that guides how online courses are designed and improved to support student success. QM is a nationally recognized, research-based quality assurance system that focuses on course design, clarity, alignment, and learner experience. As a member of the largest QM state consortium in the nation, the QM Ohio Consortium, Kent State provides training, consultation, and support for faculty to apply QM standards at every stage of course development. Faculty can use the QM rubric to craft more consistent, accessible, and student-friendly online courses, participate in peer reviews, and pursue official QM recognition, reinforcing the university’s commitment to continuous improvement and high-quality online learning.
¹Grincewicz, A.M. (2025). White Paper | Building Quality from the Ground Up: A Systemic Approach to Online Degree Programs. Retrieved from the Quality Matters
website: https://qualitymatters.org/qa-resources/resource-center/articles-resources/online-degree-programs-white-paper-1
