By Mike Lesczinski, Excelsior Life News Staff

On September 26, Joan Mikalson, EdD, associate provost of student and faculty services, was named a Quality Matters “research colleague.” Dr. Mikalson, who joined Excelsior in 2011, was one of only five chosen by Quality Matters after a nationwide, competitive search process.

As a research colleague, Mikalson will be charged with working with Quality Matters research director Dr. Kay Shattuck to review literature and make recommendations in preparation of the 2013 review of the QM rubric, which consists of research-based quality standards for online course design.

Quality Matters is a “faculty-centered, peer review process that is designed to certify the quality of online and blended courses.” Its purpose is to promote and improve the quality of online education and student learning through development of research supported, best practice-based quality standards, and evaluation tools and procedures.

“Dr. Mikalson is a superb investigator with highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills,” said Excelsior College President john F. Ebersole. “Our online course environment is large and complex and Joan thrives on building connections between people and process. With her strong sense of inquiry and follow up, we’re confident that Joan will be a significant contributor as a QM Research Colleague.”