Success Showcased: University of Kentucky Online Course Quality Design Program Pilot

^{Photographed above: Dr. Adam Kho, College of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience}

Ten months of effort toward improving student experience across the University of Kentucky culminated this spring when the participants of the Course Quality (CQ) Design Program gathered to present their work in a private showcase on Friday, April 17. This program, created to support instructors and strengthen opportunities for online student engagement, kicked off last June by selecting ten faculty from across the university who were dedicated to enhancing their courses through alignment with nationally recognized Quality Matters (QM) standards. These ten participants worked with UK Online’s team of instructional designers over the 2025 – 2026 academic year and received personalized feedback to help evaluate and amplify the effectiveness of their courses by incorporating evidence-based practices and developing engaging content and assessments.

^{Photographed above: Dr. Anushka Karkelanova, College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Bing Zhang Department of Statistics}

UK Online welcomes any online faculty or instructor to reach out to our instructional design team for consultation. Visit our website for more information about our services.

“The Course Quality Design Program demonstrates what’s possible when faculty expertise is paired with intentional, evidence‑based course design,” said UK Online Director Patsy Carruthers. “The result is an experience that benefits both instructors and students engaged in online learning at the University of Kentucky.”

Dr. Brian MacPherson, Vice-Chair, Educational Programs Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine presented on behalf of Dr. Guoying Bing who was unable to attend the showcase. MacPherson recognized the challenge of assisting Regular Title Line Faculty who are trying to adapt from active research programs to a larger role in educational instruction. While this challenge is present at all levels, it is most challenging at the lower undergraduate population.​ He commended the CQ Design Program for providing the opportunity to assist faculty with this transition and placing them in an environment where they will thrive.

^{Photographed above: Dr. Shelly Krajny, College of Education, Kinesiology and Health Promotion}

The Showcase

At the showcase, UK Online Quality Assurance Coordinator Kathryn Wong highlighted each participant’s experience in the CQ program by noting key successes and breakthroughs that emerged through collaboration with mentoring instructional designers and other UK Online staff. Faculty presenters reflected on their individual goals and the challenges they encountered over the academic year, with the examples below offering a snapshot of the range of work shared by the cohort.

^{Photographed above: Dr. Rebecca Freeman, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences}

Dr. Rebecca Freeman, whose course Blue Planet: Introduction to Oceanography was taught in-person prior to Fall 2020, spoke to the complexity involved in ensuring the online alternative remained as engaging as its original format.

^{Photographed above: Dr. Marilyn Nehls, College of Education, Kinesiology and Health Promotion}

Dr. Marilyn Nehls reflected on the lessons learned and perspective gained while developing opportunities for student interaction within her Nutrition and Physical Fitness course.

^{Photographed above: Dr. Firaz Peer, College of Communication and Information}

Dr. Firaz Peer shared his experience creating professional video content with the Faculty Media Depot for his course, The Critical Design of Information.

^{Photographed above: Mika Pryor, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment}

The showcase also provided an opportunity for participants to discuss their experiences in a more conversational setting and to give the event audience hands-on experiences with their freshly re-designed courses.

Posters from the showcase are located at the links below (links will open in this browser window). Courses enhanced by participants this cohort include:

• ANA 209: Principles of Human Anatomy (Dr. Guoying Bing)
• CIS 110: Composition and Communication I (Dr. America Edwards) 
• EES 170: Blue Planet: Introduction to Oceanography (Dr. Rebecca Freeman) 
• EPE 585: Gathering, Analyzing, and Using Educational Data II (Dr. Adam Kho) 
• ICT 690: The Critical Design of Information (Dr. Firaz Peer) 
• KHP 240: Nutrition and Physical Fitness (Dr. Marilyn Nehls) 
• KHP 270: Introduction to Health Education and Promotion (Dr. Shelly Krajny) 
• KHP 686: Sport Manager’s Lab (Dr. Rasheed Flowers) 
• MAT 247: Apparel, Textiles, and Retail in Kentucky (Mika Pryor) 
• STA 210: Introduction to Statistical Reasoning (Dr. Anushka Karkelanova)

^{Photographed above: Dr. Rasheed Flowers, College of Education, Kinesiology and Health Promotion}

Participants for the 2026 – 2027 academic year were selected this spring. For questions regarding the Course Quality Design Program or for information about future cohorts, email kathryn.wong@uky.edu.