
Academic Standards and Policy Specialist
Sherman Hall (formerly ACIV Building), Room #114-C
410-455-3874
aknapp@umbc.edu
Since joining UMBC in May 2011, Amanda Knapp has served as the academic standards & policy specialist. In this role she is responsible for the administration of undergraduate academic policy and works across the campus community to ensure the uniform application of policy while upholding the integrity of academic standards. Knapp serves as Chair of the Academic Standards Executive Committee (ASEC) and the Academic Standards Advisory Committee (ASAC), two campus groups committed to taking a proactive look at a broad range of policy issues impacting student success. As a priority, Knapp’s efforts are centered on being a student advocate to ensure that they are treated fairly and equitably in all matters of policy.
Prior to joining the UMBC community, Knapp spent nearly ten years at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC). Throughout her time at UMUC she represented the university on many levels, earning nominations for the Stanley J. Drazek Teaching Excellence Award and the Outstanding Educator of the Year Award from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). Knapp served as the executive assistant to the provost and still holds an adjunct assistant professor position. Other roles at UMUC included serving as the administrative director of criminal justice, assistant director academic support for the Business and Management Department and senior academic advisor.
Since 2009, Knapp has served on the University System of Maryland, Women’s Forum (USMWF), a group sanctioned by the Chancellor for purposes of promoting life-long learning, professional development, networking and mentoring opportunities to faculty, staff and students. Knapp also volunteers her time with several professional organizations such as National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the Hugh Ơ Brien Youth Foundation (HOBY). She has presented on a variety of topics at conferences such as the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and the Maryland Distance Learning Association (MDLA).
At the University at Buffalo, Knapp earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources Management as well as an Ed.M. in Education with a focus on Higher Education Administration. Knapp also holds a Ph.D. in Education Policy from the University of Maryland College Park where her research examined the relationship between best online instructional practices and undergraduate student perceptions of instructor credibility.