Our response to COVID19

The QA Commons is mindful of the dramatic and transformational impact COVID-19 is having on all institutions of higher education. As an organization, we are adapting our services to support preparing graduates for the workplace that is now changing more precipitously than ever.

MISSION

QA Commons’ mission is to ensure today’s learners are prepared for the changing dynamics of the workforce and economy. 

A national nonprofit dedicated to bridging the gap between education and employment, the organization is committed to equity and empowering underserved populations. QA Commons develops solutions that help students understand workplace expectations, develop the essential skills to thrive in their jobs, and navigate a career path that leads to social and economic mobility.

Services include program certification, student employability badging, professional development, internship preparation, evaluation, and consulting.

NEED

Employers overwhelmingly believe employability skills (also known as “soft skills”) are as important as technical or “hard” skills. At the same time, the large majority of employers report difficulty hiring workers with the soft skills they need. Advances in technology are only accelerating the demand for skills such as communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork. No longer do we need to train workers to execute rote activities. However, education and training programs often focus on academic knowledge and technical skills. To transcend socio-economic barriers and access opportunities in the workforce of the future, learners and workers must have a clear understanding of workplace opportunities and expectations and be intentionally guided in their development of Essential Employability Qualities.

Read the Letter from the Executive Director

HISTORY & IMPACT

Quality Assurance (QA) Commons was founded in 2016 with a grant from the Lumina Foundation and support from the National Center for Education Management Systems (NCHEMS). We ensure all learners are prepared for the changing dynamics of the workforce and economy through a range of services – from helping embed Essential Employability Qualities (EEQs) into courses and curriculum – to training instructors and staff on employability – to consulting on existing work-readiness initiatives.

In its tenure, QA Commons has engaged over 40 institutions, evaluated over 100 programs, and impacted over 85,000 students.

2015

Convened national leaders (funded by a USA Funds—now Strada—grant). Unanimously decide that new models focusing on career readiness are vital.

2016

Research begins on bridging the gap between Higher Ed and the workplace. Awarded a Lumina Foundation grant.

2017

Co-design EEQs & the EEQ Cert process with 27 programs from 14 institutions serving over 35,000 students.

2018

Successfully conclude Pilot Program. Awarded Lumina Foundation continuation grant. Launch Kentucky EEQ Certification Initiative.

2019

Launched a Faculty Employability Fellows program, enabling faculty to learn first-hand about local workforce needs, employer concerns, and the views of the role higher education needs to play.

2020

Partnered with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) in a program-level Employability self-assessment to contribute to the system's updating of the program review process.

2021

Partnered with the Distance Education Accrediting Commission to offer EEQ Certification to DEAC-accredited schools. Engaged in the evaluation of the #Prepared4PA pilot programs in Pennsylvania.

2022

Student Employability Badging Offered to EEQ Certified programs through the Credly platform. Providing employability curriculum and professional development to the Missouri Department of Corrections.

2023

Received a 3-year grant from Ascendium Education Group. Engaged in Noncredit Quality Assurance work.

Need access? Please email info@theqacommons.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors oversees the organization, with a focus on mission, strategy and goals.

Jeffery Keith

Board Chair and Treasurer

Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy

Dr. Marcela Reyes

Kendra Thayer

Jeff Cain

Board Secretary

Roberts Jones

TEAM

QA Commons is led by one full-time Executive Director and a team of part-time consultants with domain expertise.

Michelle Deasy
Executive Director
Michelle Deasy
Craig Weiner
Career Services and Employer Engagement Specialist
Craig Weiner
Dr. Chris Mayer
Future of Work and Higher Education Specialist
Dr. Chris Mayer
Wayne Boatwright
Employer Partnerships and Reentry Employment Specialist
Wayne Boatwright
Dr. Jennifer Wies
Assessment and Accreditation Specialist
Dr. Jennifer Wies
Dr. Diane Rodriguez-Kiino
Senior Researcher
Dr. Diane Rodriguez-Kiino
Mason Bishop
Strategic Advisor and Project Lead
Mason Bishop
Abby Kelly-Smith
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Specialist
Abby Kelly-Smith
Catherine Parker
Data Analyst
Catherine Parker
Chloe Moody
Writing and Research Associate
Chloe Moody
Paul Boyd
Research Associate
Paul Boyd

CERTIFIED PROGRAMS

Read about the programs  that have been through the EEQ Certification process. 

IN THE NEWS

SU Art, English, and Philosophy Programs Earn Essential Employability Qualities Certification
Salisbury University
September 17, 2024

Success Coaching Program to Support Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
Yahoo! Finance
July 23, 2024

Health and Physical Education program receives highest score for Essential Employment Qualities certification
Murray State University
May 22, 2024

Teach Your Children/Students Well
Inside Higher Education
March 12, 2024

Moving Beyond the Dependence on College Degrees
Forbes
November 11, 2022

Judging Institutions Based on Employment Outcomes
Inside Higher Ed
March 2, 2022

Measuring Job Market Success
Open Campus
January 27, 2022

A troubling lack of skills in literacy and numeracy
Open Campus
June 10, 2021

How Colleges Can Increase Equity Through Employability Standards
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
February 1, 2021

New benchmarking tool for higher ed seeks to address workplace soft skills gap
Chief Learning Officer
October 15, 2020

Student’s own experience helped launch KCTCS training program
ABC 36 WTVQ Lexington
October 1, 2020

UK Equine Undergrad Program Earns Employability Certification
US Ag Net
June 22, 2020

Grant-Funded Study Helps Prepare Connecticut’s 12 Community College for Consolidation
Connecticut Examiner
June 17, 2020

Kentucky Campuses Lead the Charge on Employability
Northern Kentucky Tribune
June 3, 2020

Schools Offer Certification for Employability Skills
US News & World Report
November 5, 2019

Do Your Academic Programs Actually Develop ‘Employability’? There’s an Assessment for That
Chronicle of Higher Education
April 16, 2019

CPE Launches Employability Initiative to Prepare Graduates for Workplace Success
Kentucky Business & Economic News
November 16, 2018

Group Attempts New Twist on Accreditation
Inside Higher Education
October 9, 2017

Thank You!

We appreciate you contacting us. One of our colleagues will get back to you shortly.

gototop