Higher Education Administration
PhD
Morgan State University
See all Profiles
Faculty
Faculty
Morris Thomas, PhD, MBA, PMP (He/Him/His)
Associate Professor
Department/Office
- Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
School/College
- School of Education
- School of Business
Additional Positions
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Assistant Provost for Digital and Online Learning & Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (CETLA)Office of the Provost
-
Adjunct ProfessorInformation Systems & Supply Chain Management
Biography
Dr. Morris Thomas is responsible for providing visionary, strategic, and operational leadership for the Office of Digital and Online Learning and the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Assessment (CETLA). As Assistant Provost for Digital and Online Learning, Dr. Thomas provides oversight for the selection and implementation of digital learning tools as well as the coordination for matters pertaining to online course and degree program development. He leads this office in facilitating the development and implementation of the university’s digital learning infrastructure which supports the university’s strategic plan. Dr. Thomas has an extensive background in facilitating learning across modalities (face-to-face, hybrid-blended, and online). Dr. Thomas is Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the School of Education. He is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management in the School of Business. Dr. Thomas has an appointment as a Special Member of the University of Maryland, College Park Graduate Faculty.
Dr. Thomas employs Quality Matters, a global recognized, peer-review process used to ensure the quality of online and blended course design. He holds several Quality Matters certifications, including Master Reviewer, Peer-Reviewer and Quality Matters Coordinator. He is also certified to facilitate the Applying the Quality Matters Rubric workshop face-to-face and online. Dr. Thomas served as the Chair of the Quality Matters Academic Advisory Council (QMAAC) 2023 & 2024. He also serves on the Changing Landscape of Online Education (CHLOE) Advisory Panel (CAP), Echo360 Advisory Board, and McMillan Learning Micro-Credential Advisory Board.
Dr. Thomas is an established scholar, his research focuses on instructional dynamics which encompass instructional domains, design, and delivery. He has developed a conceptual framework called the ENHANCE Learning Model. This conceptual framework provides seven strategies to inform intentional course design and delivery. Dr. Thomas is also the creator of the framework, “The WHOLE Experience,” a model that addresses the ever evolving higher education landscape. Dr. Thomas serves as an editorial board member for the Journal of African American Males in Education, the Journal of Innovative Higher Education, the American Research Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, and as reviewer for the International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments. He is a frequent presenter at conferences and for webinars. His scholarship has taken him throughout the continental United States, Canada, Cuba, Germany, India, Ireland, Malawi, Puerto Rico, and South Africa.
Dr. Thomas earned his Ph.D. in higher education administration from Morgan State University, a M.A. in educational policy and leadership from The Ohio State University, an Executive Master of Business Administration from Howard University, a M.S. in instructional technology management from LaSalle University, a M.M. in classical vocal performance from New Jersey City University and a B.A. in music from Fisk University.
In addition to his multidisciplinary degree attainment, he has completed post graduate studies at Cornell University and Georgetown University in project management and holds the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification with the Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI). He has also completed the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace and the Inclusive and Ethical Leadership Certificates from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business.
Education & Expertise
Education
Educational Policy & Leadership
M.A.
The Ohio State University
Executive Master of Business Administration
MBA
Howard University
Instructional Technology Management
M.S.
LaSalle University
Classical Vocal Performance
M.M.
New Jersey City University
Vocal Performance
B.A.
Fisk University
Research
Research
Specialty
Teaching and Learning, Online-Digital & Technology-Enhanced Learning, & Higher Education LeadershipGroup Information
Dr. Thomas's research expertise centers on advancing inclusive and technology-enhanced learning environments and experiences in higher education, with particular emphasis on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Through the development and application of original frameworks such as the WHOLE Experience Framework and the ENHANCE Learning Model, his work bridges theoretical understanding with practical implementation of effective teaching and learning strategies. He has made significant contributions to understanding how digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and online learning can be leveraged to create more inclusive and effective educational experiences while maintaining the distinctive aspects of HBCU culture and learning facilitation. His scholarship extends to examining adaptive strategies for institutional survival and transformation in HBCUs, as well as exploring the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education settings. Recent work has focused on the integration of AI tools in academic settings and the development of quality assurance frameworks for online education. Thomas actively contributes to the broader discourse on higher education leadership and digital transformation through scholarly publications, editorials, and presentations at national and international conferences, demonstrating a commitment to advancing both theoretical understanding and practical applications in educational innovation. His scholarship has taken him throughout the continental United States, Canada, Cuba, Germany, India, Ireland, Malawi, Puerto Rico, and South Africa.
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
Quality Matters Directors’ Award for Exceptional Service
Howard University and Quality Matters (QM) are proud to announce that Morris Thomas, Ph.D., has been awarded the Directors’ Award for Exceptional Service. The award honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to QM’s quality assurance efforts with online and blended education at institutions and for learners.
“Thomas is recognized for his selfless service to the QM community as chair of the Quality Matters Academic Advisory Council, a group of educators who guide QM in fulfilling the needs of online educators and learners,” said QM. “During his impactful tenure, he has provided unwavering leadership, particularly in large-scale quality assurance implementation, developing synergy among academic leadership and instructional design and development centers, and championing inclusive online learning.
State Department selects Dr. Morris Thomas to host a delegation from Jordan to demonstrate innovative learning spaces and practices.
The U.S. Department of State selected Howard University's Dr. Morris
Thomas, assistant provost for digital and online learning, director of the center for excellence in teaching, learning, & assessment (CETLA), and associate professor of educational leadership & policy studies in the School of Education to host a delegation of university educators and administrators from Jordan as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The visitors came from Hashemite University, Mu’Tah University, University of Jordan, and Yarmouk University. The visit demonstrated Howard's leadership in digital learning innovation and the unique role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in U.S. higher education. For complete article, please access: https://provost.howard.edu/sites/provost.howard.edu/files/2024-10/Jordan%20Delegation%20Press%20Release.pdf
Dr. Morris Thomas Appointed Chair of the Quality Matters Academic Advisory Council
Howard University is delighted to announce the appointment of Morris Thomas, PhD, as the new chair of the Quality Matters Academic Advisory Council (QMAAC).
"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. For the complete press release, please access: https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/morris-thomas-appointed-chair-quality-matters-academic-advisory-council
Strategies for Change Management: How Howard University Led a Successful LMS Migration
Dr. Thomas served as the academic lead for transitioning Learning Management Systems (LMS). This strategic institutional initiative was designed for Howard University to enhance academic excellence by updating its digital learning infrastructure (DLI). Howard University made the decision to transition LMS providers from Blackboard to Canvas. This initiative turned out to be a huge success, but only because its team built a well-constructed change management plan, created open lines of communication to all stakeholders, and implemented a solution that seamlessly migrated 20,000 courses to Canvas without disrupting faculty or students. For the complete article and webinar, please access: https://www.k16solutions.com/resources/webinars/strategies-for-change-management-how-howard-university-led-a-successful-lms-migration/
How Digital Learning Saved the Classroom
Dr. Thomas's leadership during the pandemic and beyond featured in this article, How Digital Learning Saved the Classroom. For complete article, please access: https://magazine.howard.edu/stories/how-digital-learning-saved-the-classroom
Principle Investigator
Awarded $245,500 for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Digital Learning Infrastructure and Knowledge Sharing Support grant. This funding will facilitate the formation of the Office of Digital and Online Learning and allow the University to continue developing a centralized online instructional strategy, online courses consistent with that strategy, as well as processes for online program development and implementation. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation considers Howard University a leader among HBCUs in this area. For complete press release, please access: https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/bill-and-melinda-gates-foundation-award-supports-formation-office-digital-and-online-learning
Principle Investigator
Awarded $50,000 for creating and implementing new courseware for Introduction to Statistics that focuses specifically on eliminating race and income as predictors of success for students. Lumen has established partnerships with Minority Serving Institutions across the United States. Lumen Learning is working with Howard University's faculty and CETLA staff, who are providing guidance and direction for its statistics course and platform. Lumen Learning, a leading provider of teaching and learning materials focused on improving student success, affordability, and access, today announced a partnership with Howard University's Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Assessment (CETLA) to develop courseware to increase the effectiveness and cultural relevance of Lumen's solutions for Black students as well as Latinx, Indigenous, and low-income students across the United States. For complete press release, please access: https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/lumen-learning-partners-howard-university-improve-educational-outcomes-students-color
Related Articles
Thomas, M. (2024, July). The WHOLE Experience: Reflecting on The State of Higher Education Leadership. [Editorial] Retrieved from https://www.highereducationdigest.com/the-whole-experience-reflecting-on-the-state-of-higher-education-leadership/
Thomas, M. (2024, March). A Missing Piece [Peace]: Teaching & Learning in the Digital Age Diverse: issues in higher education. [Editorial] Retrieved from https://www.diverseeducation.com/opinion/article/15665756/a-missing-piece-peace-teaching-learning-in-the-digital-age
Thomas, M. (2023, October). Impact of Digital Learning Tools in the Education Sector. Educational Technology Insights. [Editorial] Retrieved from https://online-tutoring.educationtechnologyinsights.com/cxoinsights/impact-of-digital-learning-tool-in-education-sector-nid-2529.html?
Thomas, M., & Thomas, S. W. (2023). Leveraging the W.H.O.L.E. experience framework to elevate inclusive learning. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 12(0), 113–125. https://doi.org/10.5590/JERAP.2022.12.0.08
Thomas, M. (2022, December). Stronger Together: Course Content and Learning Technology. Educational Technology Insights. [Editorial] Retrieved from https://online-tutoring.educationtechnologyinsights.com/cxoinsights/stronger-together-course-content-and-learning-technology-nid-2531.html
Harrison, E. & Thomas, M. (2021). Adaptive survival strategies: A case study of four Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Reimagining Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Emerald Publishing, Great Debate in Higher Education series.
Palmer, R. T. & Thomas, M. (2020, June). Can faculty at historically black colleges and universities replicate part of the HBCU experience through an online format? Diverse: issues in higher education. [Editorial] Retrieved from https://diverseeducation.com/article/180198/
Harrison, E., and Thomas, M. (2019). "Employing the ENHANCE Learning Model to Inform a High-Impact Course Design." Ubiquitous Learning: An International Journal 12 (3): 9-18. doi:10.18848/1835-9795/CGP/v12i03/9-18.
Dickens, E., Cruz, L., Alderson, J., Atias, D., Graham, R., Hurney, C.A., Parker, M., Smentkowski, B., Smitherman, M., Thomas, M. Troisi, J.D., Vincent-Layton, K., and Wang, C. (2019). Starting a center for teaching and learning. POD Speaks, 3: 1-6.
Tyagi, P., Thomas, M., Moore, C. S., Hampton‐Garland, P., Xu, J., Thompson, L., & Haghani, S. (2018). “Experience of multiple instructors about student presentation-based teaching (spet) approach.” ASME 2018 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition IMECE 2018. Pittsburgh, PA: November 9‐15, 2018.
Harrison, E. & Thomas, M. (2018) ENHANCE Learning Model: A Case Study in Moving the Learner Needle from Novice to Proficient. American Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, vol 4, no. 1, 2018, pp. 1-12.
Alston, S., Moore, C., & Thomas, M. (2017) Strategies for enhancing online teaching in social work education. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment.
Thomas, M., Harris, R. & King-Berry, A. (2017). Creating inclusive online learning environments that build community and enhance learning. In Handbook of Research on Innovative Pedagogies and Technologies for Online Learning in Higher Education.
Thomas, M., Tyagi, P., Moore, C., Hampton-Garland, P. (2017) Student presentation-based effective teaching (spet) approach: a multiple instructor’s perspective. American Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences.