The Academic Quality Improvement Program supports continuous performance improvement in higher education. AQIP provides an alternative process for colleges and universities to maintain their regional accreditation. The Higher Learning Commission launched AQIP in 1999 with a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts. Currently 127 organizations demonstrate they meet the Higher Learning Commission’s accreditation standards through challenging activities that naturally fit with their work to improve their key systems enabling higher performance. By sharing both their process improvements and performance results, organizations participating in AQIP provide the Higher Learning Commission with the evidence to make public quality assurance judgments and nudge themselves to excel in the distinctive higher education mission each has identified. 

CSTCC has made a commitment to creating an environment of continuous improvement through the College’s Quality Management Initiative (QMI), which began in 1999.  In 2001, CSTCC joined the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) and completed a self-study using the Ohio Award for Excellence (OAE) application process.  

In 2002 CSTCC initiated four AQIP Action Projects.  These projects, which focus on improvements to the quality of academics or student support services, involve development of:

1.      Institutional technology infrastructure that supports teaching and learning (Category Seven)

2.      Reliable and consistent processes for advising all students (Category One)

3.      An on-line “Answer Bank” to efficiently provide accurate stakeholder information (Category Three)

4.      Assessment methods and outcome measures for graduates’ general education (Category One)

View College AQIP Systems Portfolio

Other College quality initiatives