Date of Award
Fall 2004
Document Type
Dissertation - Restricted
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Education
First Advisor
Augenstein, John
Second Advisor
Pink, William
Third Advisor
Spangehl, Stephen
Abstract
In 1999, as a result of the growing interest in Baldrige and state quality award programs by member institutions, the North Central Association's Higher Learning Commission developed a new path for accreditation. Entitled the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), the categories were based on the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria. This investigation studied what was different at higher learning institutions as a result of using the nine categories of AQIP for accreditation as compared to traditional accreditation. Three colleges who had adopted AQIP as their accreditation avenue were studied. The study examined Action Projects focusing on "Understanding Students' and Other Stakeholders' Needs", reviewed the Systems Portfolios and conducted interviews with the colleges' Presidents, AQIP Coordinators, and Faculty Members. The results of this study showed that all of the colleges' experiences with AQIP made a difference in moving their colleges along the continuous improvement pathway. Engaging a broader base of involvement in strategic planning and systems and process design assisted in transforming the culture of these institutions to one of constant evaluation and improvement. Accreditation activities were recognized as extremely more valuable than an every ten-year traditional accreditation. It became enmeshed in the day-to-day workings of the college.