Title: Teaching Professor and Director of Distance Education, Department of Computer Science
Company: Iowa State University
Location: Ames, Iowa, United States
Shu-Hui “Susan” Chang, PhD, Teaching Professor and Director of Distance Education in the Department of Computer Science at Iowa State University, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements and leadership in e-learning and computer science education.
Over a remarkable 30-year career, Dr. Chang has made outstanding contributions that demonstrate profound impact and innovative excellence. She has shown an unwavering commitment to the highest standards in teaching, instructional design, and distance education.
At Iowa State University, a globally respected institution in science, engineering, and technological advancement, Dr. Chang has made substantial and far-reaching contributions to digital transformation and computer science education. Beyond teaching, her leadership encompasses e-learning, instructional innovation, curriculum development, course design, and the mentorship of graduate teaching assistants and new faculty. Her work shapes not only individual courses and programs but also broader teaching practices across the academic community.
Beginning in 2004, Dr. Chang served as a member of the institutional Online Strategy Planning Steering Committee for several years, shaping long-term priorities and initiatives that had a lasting impact on the advancement of online education. Since 2006, she has provided sustained leadership as director of distance education in the Department of Computer Science, advancing the development, quality, and impact of online education.
Since joining the Department of Computer Science in 2003, Dr. Chang has taught and supervised more than 24,000 students, contributing over 94,000 credit hours. Her extensive engagement reflects a profound and lasting impact on student development. Her courses combine precision, real-world relevance, and applied rigor. They equip students with cutting-edge, industry-ready skills, programming expertise, technical mastery, and the analytical acumen to tackle complex challenges. Graduates emerge not only with technical proficiency but also with the leadership, creativity, and adaptability required to excel in rapidly evolving fields. Across technology, education, and research sectors, her former students continue to thrive, exemplifying the intellectual rigor and high standards fostered under her guidance.
Dr. Chang’s influence extends through structured mentorship and academic leadership. She spearheaded a comprehensive graduate teaching assistant training program and developed course materials within the Department of Computer Science, preparing doctoral students for effective teaching assistant instructional roles across both undergraduate and graduate education. Through this initiative, she has trained approximately 200 PhD candidates in pedagogy, course design, and teaching practice, many of whom have received institutional recognition for teaching excellence. This program has established a sustainable model for instructional quality that extends far beyond her own classroom, reflecting Dr. Chang’s broader contributions to both undergraduate and graduate education within the Department of Computer Science at Iowa State University.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of sudden disruption in higher education, Dr. Chang’s leadership proved critical. She facilitated workshops and provided mentorship to faculty through the rapid transition to remote instruction, implementing practical solutions to address instructional challenges. She ensured that teaching quality remained high under demanding conditions while preparing teaching assistants to effectively support faculty across the department. In addition, she has led faculty development initiatives in the use of the Canvas Learning System, implemented university-wide across all majors at Iowa State University, and designed programs that equip new faculty members to meet high expectations from the outset of their academic careers.
Renowned as a leading authority in online and distance education, Dr. Chang has developed courses that meet rigorous international standards. Her work has been evaluated through the Quality Matters framework, a widely recognized benchmark for excellence in online education. In 2024, a course she designed earned global Quality Matters Certification following an intensive review by internal and external experts. The same course was also awarded the High Quality Certification by the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching at Iowa State University. She is the first faculty member in her department to earn this dual distinction, establishing a clear benchmark for instructional quality. Through this achievement, Dr. Chang has demonstrated leadership in online and distance education, serving as a model for colleagues and guiding the development of high-quality instructional practices across the department and broader academic community.
Dr. Chang’s certified course is listed in national and international Quality Matters databases, as well as in Iowa State University’s collection of high-quality courses. These recognitions establish her course as a model for educators striving to enhance course design and student engagement. Through these achievements, she continues to influence how effective online education is defined and implemented.
Grounded in deep expertise in learning theory and instructional design, Dr. Chang seamlessly integrates constructivist and learner-centered principles with structured course design. This approach transforms online education into an engaging, skill-building environment that empowers students to think critically, solve complex problems, and achieve measurable learning outcomes. Over more than two decades in distance education, she has consistently championed high levels of student engagement and achieved outstanding student satisfaction while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Her contributions set the standard that online learning must be structured, challenging, and effective.
Recent work in artificial intelligence highlights Dr. Chang’s leadership in teaching and learning. By integrating adaptive systems, real-time assessment, and intelligent feedback into her courses, she creates highly responsive learning environments tailored to individual student needs. These AI-driven approaches enhance comprehension, strengthen knowledge retention, and sustain engagement across diverse student populations. Her innovative application of technology demonstrates exceptional ability to leverage emerging tools in practical and effective ways, advancing the future of online and distance education.
Dr. Chang’s research further underscores her leadership in the field. Her scholarship spans online and distance education, computer science education, programming pedagogy, and curriculum design. She has presented at leading academic conferences and actively contributed to the advancement of instructional practices. Her work exemplifies both scholarly rigor and practical relevance, highlighted by her publication in the top-tier Journal of Research on Technology in Education, which accepts only 6 percent of submissions. In addition, she mentored and guided Honors Program students in their research projects, as well as computer science and software engineering students at Iowa State University, cultivating students’ abilities in inquiry, critical thinking, and innovation while fostering their academic and scholarly development.
Committed to advancing distance learning and educational excellence at both national and international levels, Dr. Chang maintains affiliations with several prestigious professional organizations, serves as a reviewer for scholarly journals, participates in course evaluations, and contributes to conference review processes. In her role as director of distance education in the Department of Computer Science, she continues to provide expertise that shapes the evolution of teaching in digital environments.
Dr. Chang’s academic foundation includes a bachelor’s degree from National Central University in Taiwan, and master’s and doctoral degrees from Iowa State University, equipping her with advanced skills, deep expertise, and a rigorous scholarly perspective. This foundation has enabled her to lead innovative initiatives in distance and online education, mentor generations of students, and make significant contributions to advancing teaching and learning in digital environments.
Dr. Chang’s career has been recognized internationally for excellence in teaching, course design, and online education. She has received three prestigious awards, including the Quality Matters (QM) Certification Award in 2024 for her award-winning online course, the Blackboard Greenhouse Exemplary Course Program Award in 2008, and the Best Practice Award in 2007, celebrating her transformative contributions to digital teaching and learning. Within Iowa State University, she has received four institutional awards, including the High Quality Certification Award from CELT in 2024, the Department of Computer Science Excellence in Teaching Award in 2024, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Master Teacher Award in 2009, and the Excellence in Introductory Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2008.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Chang finds her greatest joy in family life, nurturing and guiding her two children with love and dedication. She balances this with a rich array of personal pursuits—gardening, hiking through nature, dancing, painting, reading widely, singing, and enjoying music—all of which reflect her creativity, energy, and passion for life.
Dr. Chang’s life is rooted in faith. Through prayer, Bible study, and spiritual reflection, she strives to live according to biblical teachings and guide others on their journey toward knowing God. In her spare time, she enjoys sharing the gospel with those who have not yet believed and supporting fellow believers in their spiritual growth.
Dr. Chang attributes her professional journey to God’s wisdom and guidance, feeling deeply grateful for His direction at every step. She cherishes the steadfast support of her family—her parents, siblings, husband, and sons—whose prayers and encouragement have inspired and strengthened her throughout her career. Rooted in the Holy Bible, she reflects on passages such as Psalm 37:5, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act,” Isaiah 40:31, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,” and Psalm 9:1, “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds,” allowing these verses to shape her work, life, and heart. With a sincerely grateful heart, she gives all praise and honor to God. Guided by faith and a steadfast commitment to excellence, integrity, lifelong learning, and service, Dr. Chang has been recognized as a global leader in education, advancing standards, inspiring innovation, and leaving a lasting impact on students, educators, institutions, and learning communities worldwide.
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