MATC Matters

This coming year, MATC will complete its first cycle of re-accreditation using the process known as the Academic Quality Improvement Project or AQIP. Developed by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, AQIP is designed to guide colleges in their efforts to be quality institutions. Since 2002, the AQIP process has been an excellent tool for assessment, improvement and planning for our future.

With AQIP an institution has the opportunity to demonstrate it meets the Higher Learning Commission’s accreditation standards and expectations through a series of activities aligned with the College’s ongoing work that validate the institution’s commitment to continuous improvement. By sharing both its advancement activities and the results of these actions with AQIP, an institution provides the Higher Learning Commission with the evidence needed to make a public quality assurance judgment and to support and assist the institution in its efforts to excel at achieving its distinctive higher education mission.

AQIP has five core processes that play an integral part in the re-accreditation of MATC -Action Projects, Systems Portfolio, Systems Appraisal, Strategy Forum and the reaffirmation of accreditation, which enables MATC to demonstrate its ongoing requirements of the Commission’s criteria for accreditation. AQIP has identified nine categories of related key processes that provide a framework for the assessment and improvement of higher education institutions.

Each institution undergoing the AQIP process self-selects Action Projects that address one or more of the nine categories. Action Projects are based on new opportunities or target systems and processes identified as needing improvement. Each project must make a serious and visible difference to performance, embody challenging but attainable goals, stretch the organization to learn and to excel in new ways, and focus on both efficiency and benefits to students and other stakeholders.

Institutions must have at least three Action Projects going at one time and at least one must address Category One, Helping Students Learn. Currently, MATC has selected nine projects and is working to implement a tenth. Other current AQIP work includes preparing for the Quality Checkup, an on-site visit by HLC-trained reviewers, occurring April 23 to 25, 2008, and the completion of an updated Systems Portfolio, supported by the AQIP Steering Team and nine Category Teams. In the weeks leading up to the visit, MATC Matters will include a brief AQIP “topic of the week.” In the next Matters article, we will discuss Category One and the Action Projects underway to address it. For much more detailed information, see the AQIP website.