Early Bird

Announcing the new AVP for Online Learning

A familiar face assumes a new role — and he has big plans for expanding and improving online courses to support student retention and success.

April 3, 2019

Matt Griswold, Ed.D., formerly the director of Online Programs in the Office of Innovative and Lifelong Learning, will serve as Associate Vice President of Online Learning, reporting to Provost Vicki Golich, Ph.D. In this new role, Griswold will be responsible for articulating and implementing the vision and strategic plan for online learning at MSU Denver.

Through collaboration across MSU Denver colleges, schools, academic departments, and the Center for Teaching, Learning and Design, Griswold will lead efforts to develop high-quality online courses, certificates, and degree programs, while also coordinating the administration of instructional design, technology, marketing, enrollment, student support services, academic policy, faculty affairs and academic assessment related to online programs.

“I am honored to work at MSU Denver and am appreciative of all offices, departments, and colleagues that have jumped at the chance to consider, change, challenge and grow our aptitude to serve online learners,” Griswold said. “I can’t wait to see our momentum grow and progress continue.”

Griswold has worked in higher education in many areas since 2000, including admissions, orientation and TRIO programs. Prior to joining MSU Denver, he worked at Colorado GEAR UP, Colorado State University and the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he focused on online learning — his area of expertise and passion.

Since joining MSU Denver in February 2017, Griswold has established a network of committees designed to administer the wide-ranging aspects of online learning, and one committee recently prioritized enhancement of our existing 750 online courses. In addition, he introduced — and students passed overwhelmingly — a per-credit hour technology fee to support online learning. The extra revenues from this fee will help the University enhance and upgrade existing courses, while also developing a number of new high-quality online offerings.

“Matt is deeply knowledgeable about the ingredients needed to create the very best in online learning,” Golich said. “He has worked diligently to develop an online course materials intellectual property policy that is mutually beneficial for faculty and the University. I am very excited about MSU Denver’s online learning future because of his leadership.”

“Learners continue to choose online courses and programs at an increasing rate nationally and at MSU Denver, and our unchanging goal will be to ensure they have a similarly rich, supportive, and consistent administrative and academic experience online as they do on-campus,” Griswold said.

Griswold added that faculty dedication to teaching and putting students first has helped develop a large portfolio of online courses and a growing number of programs.

“The next five years will see us expand upon existing courses and programs and infuse a level of consistency into the student learning experience,” he added. “This will result in improved retention and graduation rates for current students as well as a growing population of new students who can’t make it to campus but appreciate our collective willingness to adapt to their ever-changing lives.”