What is the Academic Quality Improvement Program?

Participating in AQIP:

• allows participating institutions to align their own continuous improvement initiatives and projects with required accreditation processes 
• provides evidence that participating institutions meet the standards for continuing accreditation through identifying Action Projects and Stretch Targets, working to achieve the Stretch Targets and reporting the results of their work
• provides a variety of opportunities for collaboration among participating institutions
• encourages participating institutions to help each other achieve goals and targets through the use of on-line colloquia, forums, workshops, and the exchange of experiences and expertise
• replaces the traditional ten-year cycle of accreditation.  AQIP is distinct from traditional models of continuing accreditation
• enables organizations to focus on systems and processes as the basis for excellence and also for continuous improvement 

Why is AQIP important?

AQIP is designed to:

• assist colleges and universities in excelling at fulfilling their respective missions, rather than just meeting minimum standards  
• use a continuous improvement model to meet its own mission and values to better serve its members

Who else is participating in AQIP?

Approximately 10% of all colleges and universities accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools are participating in AQIP.  To see a full list of these go to http://www.aqip.org./

What is the AQIP process and timeline?

All institutions that want to participate in AQIP must:

• send representatives to a workshop that fully explains AQIP
• complete a campus-wide assessment using external feedback (such as a state quality award)
• complete a formal application signed by the Chief Executive Officer
• develop Action Projects that will help move the institution forward
• create a cross-functional team to send to a Strategy Forum
• present Action Projects to all Strategy Forum participants for critique and review
• submit finalized Action Projects to the Higher Learning Commission of Colleges and Schools
• update each Action Project yearly
• complete a Systems Portfolio that accurately describes the organization's mission, vision, values, strategic opportunities and challenges, processes and indicators of effectiveness 

Click here for a complete description of all these steps.

Where is Lorain County Community College in this process?

LCCC has:

• Completed its interest inventory
• Been accepted as a full participant in AQIP
• Engaged in the required outside assessment (the Ohio Award for Excellence)
• Developed its initial Action Projects
• Participated in its first Strategy Forum
• Updated its Action Projects
• Started its Systems Portfolio

How does participating in AQIP impact me?

Your input is vital to helping the college continuously improve.  You may be asked to help in a variety of ways.  Some of these include participating in assessment activities, completing surveys, or contributing your expertise to cross-functional teams.  For more information please contact the Coordinator of the Academic Quality Improvement Program or any of the Action Project Design Team Leaders.

What are the current AQIP Projects? 

Action Project	Enhancing culture change through employee engagement and leadership
	Annual Update 2007
	Project Leader and contact person Ms. Marcia J. Ballinger Vice President for Strategic and Institutional Development (800) 995-5222 mballing@lorainccc.edu
Action Project	Establishing Benchmarks to Assess and Improve Institutional Effectiveness
	Annual Update 2007
	Project Leader and contact person Wendy Marley Interim Director of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness wmarley@lorainccc.edu (800)995-5222 ext. 7743
Action Project	Helping Students Learn: Improving General Education, Program Benchmarking, Communication, Engagement
	Annual Update 2007
	Project Leader and contact person Karen A. Wells Vice President of Learner Services and Chief Academic Officer kwells@lorainccc.edu (800)995-5222 ext. 4052

A full description of these projects and the Action Project Updates can be found by clicking the associated links above.

To see the Action Projects of other participating institutions go to http://www.aqip.org/. At the bottom tool bar, click on Action Projects.

What is my own organizational unit's involvement in AQIP?

AQIP encompasses the entire college community.  Your organizational unit is involved in some way. Contact your organizational unit administrator for more specific information.

Who are the AQIP leaders for LCCC?

Academic Quality Improvement Program Coordinator
Robert L. Callaway, Director, Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (IEP) (wmarley@lorainccc.edu)