Professor Shu-Hui (Susan) Chang has received the esteemed Quality Matters (QM) and CELT High-Quality certification awards for COMS 1060: Introduction to Web Programming.
“I am deeply grateful and honored to receive this recognition,” Chang said. “I want to express my sincere appreciation to the review team and the CELT team for their positive assessment of my course and their invaluable support.”
Chang is an associate teaching professor and the director of Distance Education in the Department of Computer Science at Iowa State and is the first professor of the Department of Computer Science to receive these awards.
“Being the first in the department to receive these certifications was a joyful moment, and I thank God for providing me the wisdom to achieve this,” Chang said.
Chang communicated that the recognition of her work not only advances the field of computer science, but also benefits the academic community by setting a standard for excellence in course design and teaching.
“Receiving this recognition strengthens the university’s reputation and helps attract more students, reinforcing our dedication to providing an outstanding educational experience,” Chang said.
Chang expressed that the certifications reflected her years of efforts and dedication to teaching and course design.
“Receiving these certifications has been both humbling and rewarding, reflecting my ongoing commitment to delivering an exceptional learning experience,” Chang said. “The recognition from Quality Matters, the Iowa State assistant provost and CELT reinforces my goal of continuously improving and adapting to meet students’ needs.”
Quality Matters (QM) is a worldwide organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of online and blended courses. The CELT High-Quality certification serves as a practical teaching credential for English educators.
A course will become QM certified once it meets the QM Rubric Standards at the 85% threshold or better, at least 86 out of 101 points and meets all Essential Specific Review Standards set by Iowa State University.
COMS 1060, which Chang instructs, is a course for students with no prior web programming experience. It includes various majors, including education and engineering, and it caters to students from freshmen to seniors.
“Since 2003, I have taught over 23,000 students, generating more than 91,000 credit hours, including those from COMS 1060,” Chang said.
Alongside the QM and CELT certifications, Chang has garnered several esteemed awards. This includes two international recognitions: the Blackboard Greenhouse Exemplary Course Program Awards in 2007 and 2008, as well as two ISU LAS awards –Excellence in Introductory Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2008 and the Master Teacher Award in 2009. Additionally, Chang received the Departmental Excellence in Teaching Award in 2024.
Chang has been a professor at Iowa State for over 21 years.
“Over the past 21 years, I have dedicated myself to this field, always seeking out for professional development and growth, research and growth, attending numerous distance education conferences where I shared insights and expertise while continually refining my skills in online course design and teaching,” Chang said.
Chang’s main inspiration arose from a deep commitment to creating meaningful and accessible learning experiences that enable students to flourish. Motivated by this vision, Chang successfully designed a student-centered, high-quality online course using the QM rubric, fostering student engagement and supporting their academic development.
“The opportunity to enhance education through the application of the Quality Matters Rubric and innovative technologies in course design has consistently driven my work,” Chang said.
Being awarded the QM and CELT certification has changed Chang’s career.
“Winning these awards has been transformative, reinforcing my commitment to excellence in teaching and course design,” Chang said. “They have opened new opportunities for collaboration and leadership, deepened my passion for mentoring students and colleagues, and reaffirmed my belief in the positive impact of my work.”
“This recognition is a reminder of the importance of my work and the difference I can make in students’ lives,” Chang said. “It’s not just about the award itself, but the validation of my efforts to improve student outcomes and create a transformative learning experience for all.”
