St. Mary’s College of Maryland President Rhonda Phillips, Ph.D., FAICP, presented at the 2026 conference of the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS), an international organization dedicated to advancing research and practice related to quality of life and community well-being.
Phillips co-led a featured workshop, “A Crash Course in Planning and Implementation of Community Indicators Projects,” on Monday, Aug. 10, with M. Joseph “Joe” Sirgy, professor emeritus of marketing at Virginia Tech and a leading scholar in quality-of-life research.
Designed for researchers, practitioners and policymakers, the workshop provided participants with practical strategies for developing and implementing community indicators projects. Topics included identifying meaningful measures of community well-being, engaging stakeholders, collecting and analyzing data, and using findings to inform planning and decision-making.
“Communities thrive when decisions are informed by data, collaboration, and a shared understanding of what contributes to quality of life,” Phillips said. “Community indicators help communities measure what matters most and create a framework for improving the well-being of current and future generations. I'm honored to contribute to this important international conversation.”
Phillips’ scholarship focuses on community and economic development, sustainability, and quality-of-life research. Throughout her career, she has worked with communities around the world to develop strategies that strengthen civic engagement, resilience, and long-term prosperity. She currently serves on the ISQOLS Board of Directors and is a past president of the organization.
Her participation in ISQOLS reflects St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s commitment to civic engagement, interdisciplinary scholarship, and preparing students to address complex challenges through the liberal arts.
Founded in 1995, the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies brings together scholars, practitioners, policymakers and researchers from around the world to advance the science of well-being and promote interdisciplinary collaboration across fields including economics, sociology, psychology, public health, environmental studies and public policy.
To learn more about ISQOLS and its work, visit https://www.isqols.org/.
