UCATT Team Shares Expertise At National Quality Matters Connect Conference
Several representatives from the University Center for Assessment, Teaching, and Technology (UCATT), among them Director of Instructional Technologies Lady Amor Moran, Quality Assurance Coordinator and UCATT QM Coordinator Holly Egurrola, and Instructional Designers Angela Gunder and Benjamin Pawlowski, recently attended QM Connect, the annual conference hosted by Quality Matters. The team represented the University of Arizona among peer institutions committed to advancing quality in online and hybrid education.
One of the key conference moments was a keynote address delivered by Angela Gunder, who shared her professional journey in educational innovation and quality assurance. Her presentation highlighted the evolving landscape of digital learning and emphasized the role of leadership in shaping high-quality academic experiences.
A central theme at this year’s conference was the rapidly developing role of artificial intelligence in course design and technology integration. Sessions emphasized responsible, high-impact uses of AI that enhance alignment, streamline design workflows, and maintain academic integrity. The evolving guidance from Quality Matters is helping institutions move beyond simply adopting new tools and instead focus on meaningful, intentional applications of AI that strengthen the student learning experience. These insights inform UCATT’s ongoing work as a campus partner, enhancing the team’s ability to advise stakeholders and support the university’s broader goals for student success.
“QM Connect reinforced the UCATT commitment to elevating course quality and supporting faculty,” Egurrola said. “Engaging with peers who are facing similar challenges and innovating in similar ways helped us see how our work fits into a larger national effort to improve quality assurance in course design and learning.”
The insights gained from QM Connect are expected to support UCATT’s ongoing work at the U of A. The team engaged with current best practices and emerging trends in instructional design, educational technology, and online course quality—knowledge that will inform efforts to align course design with institutional goals and further expand Quality Matters support for faculty across disciplines.
The conference also strengthened internal connections within the UCATT team and reaffirmed a shared commitment to enhancing quality assurance across the university. The gathering underscored the collective impact educators can make when united around the goal of creating high-quality, student-centered learning experiences.
Looking ahead, UCATT plans to explore how advancements in artificial intelligence, data-informed design, and learner-centered innovation can shape the future of education at the U of A. These areas are emerging as key drivers in ensuring that courses not only meet current quality standards but are prepared to address the needs of tomorrow’s learners.
