WASHINGTON - Howard University is delighted to announce the appointment of Morris Thomas, PhD, as the new chair of the Quality Matters Academic Advisory Council (QMAAC). Thomas is the assistant provost for digital and online learning and director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Assessment.

Established in 2004, QMAAC was createdduring the grant phase of Quality Matters and has evolved in purpose and composition over the years. Composed of 15 members, including representatives from QM subscriber schools, QM senior staff, and leaders in online and hybrid learning, the council plays a crucial role in providing guidance and oversight for Quality Matters’ programmatic directions and initiatives. As chair of the QMAAC, Thomas will bring his extensive expertise in education and learning to serve as the council's chair. 

"Dr. Morris Thomas is the first elected Chair of the Quality Matters Academic Advisory Council. He was nominated by a peer and unanimously voted in as chair by his colleagues on the QMAAC. We look forward to working with Dr. Thomas to help advance the mission of Quality Matters," said Brenda Boyd, vice president of program services at Quality Matters. 

With his visionary and strategic leadership, he leads Howard University's Office of Digital and Online Learning, and Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Assessment. Thomas has made significant contributions to enhancing learning environments and experiences. 

“The work that Quality Matters does is extremely important and has the ability to positively impact institutions and their learners, thus, serving on the QMAAC and as its chair is certainly an honor and opportunity I embrace with great enthusiasm,” said Thomas. 

Thomas’ vast experience in various teaching modalities, including face-to-face, hybrid-blended, HyFlex, and online etc., positions him well for this appointment. He strongly advocates the globally-recognized Quality Matters peer-review process, ensuring the quality of online and blended course designs. Earning multiple Quality Matters certifications, including master reviewer, peer-reviewer and quality matters coordinator, Thomas is also certified to facilitate the “Applying the Quality Matters Rubric” workshop face-to-face and online. His leadership roles in various academic advisory boards further exemplify his dedication to academic excellence.  

Moreover, he has developed a conceptual framework called the E.N.H.A.N.C.E. Learning Model. This conceptual framework provides seven strategies to inform intentional course design and delivery. Thomas is also the creator of the framework, “The W.H.O.L.E. Experience,” a model to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in learning environments.  

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