College of DuPage has moved from a traditional model of accreditation to the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), a quality-based, continuous improvement model of accreditation through The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). This model is based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program and incorporates a review process designed to deliver clear, concrete and efficient feedback to participating institutions. Additionally, it provides assurance of institutional quality to NCA and other audiences and constituencies. As encouraged by NCA, the college is customizing the AQIP process to conform to its evolving culture of continuous improvement.
Academic Quality Improvement Project Accreditation Timeline
C.O.D. continues to fulfill requirements for participation in the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). In 2008, the HLC issued a formal reaffirmation of accreditation that included a certificate for the institution, a letter to the United States Department of Education and press releases. Additionally, C.O.D. submitted its second Systems Portfolio to NCA. The college has initiated a new cycle of continuous improvement action projects, a major component for accreditation. C.O.D. reports its progress in an annual update provided to HLC each September.Continuous Improvement Organization
In C.O.D.'s move to a continuous improvement organizational model, the Institutional Effectiveness Council (IEC) oversees all quality- and effectiveness-related activities at C.O.D. The IEC’s responsibilities include:• Managing the content and production of the AQIP Systems Portfolio
• Coordinating Quality Improvement Project (QIP) teams
• Assessing the effectiveness of the college’s assessment processes
• Assessing and improving the effectiveness of the college’s planning processes
• Assessing and improving the measurement of the college’s effectiveness
• Serving as a resource for all Continuous Improvement (CI) teams
• Communicating effectiveness activities to the college community.In addition, the Quality Improvement Council (QIC), a group comprised of members of the IEC along with an across-the-college constituency-based group of individuals, has overall responsibility for the college’s accreditation processes. It is responsible for chartering future QIP teams, approving QIP team recommendations, and acting upon effectiveness issues that are related to accreditation.
Continuous Improvement Process
The continuous improvement (CI) process at C.O.D. requires the college to identify purposes and goals, plan activities, implement planning, assess results of implementation with measurable outcomes, and incorporate and integrate indicated modifications where appropriate throughout the institution.The college uses reporting documents to ensure standardization and efficient communication.
AQIP
The Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) represents the portion of the overall continuous improvement effort that relates to the college’s quality-based accreditation process through HLC. The nine criteria for AQIP accreditation are based on the Baldrige criteria. C.O.D. uses the AQIP criteria, as written by the HLC, as the foundation by which the college continuously monitors its performance.AQIP Action Projects
C.O.D has three current Action Projects, known institutionally as Quality Improvement Projects or QIPS: QIP 7, Improving General Education Learning Outcomes; QIP 9, Improving the Course Scheduling Process; and QIP 10, Improving the Effectiveness of the Comprehensive Advising Model. Seven of C. O. D’s Action Projects have been retired, as their charges have been completed. Click here to go to the AQIP Action Projects page.Benefits of AQIP/Continuous Improvement
Through the implementation of AQIP and continuous improvement, benefits to the college are continuously emerging. The use of quality tools has improved college meetings and increased the use of data rather than anecdotal information in decision-making. An example already underway is the modification of the college-wide program review process to systematically sustain continuous improvement and emphasize program quality. As C.O.D. develops increased expertise in the use of quality tools, institutional performance should become more effective and productive.
Jim Benté
Vice President, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness
Phone: (630) 942-2409
Charts
• AQIP Timeline
