Academic Quality Improvement Program

Driven to excel. Focused on improvement.

Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC allows institutions three options for maintaining accreditation. Baker College chose the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) Pathway in 2006, which focuses on quality assurance and institutional improvement. The AQIP Pathway assists institutions achieve continuous quality improvement processes by providing a framework for the College to examine key processes and analyze, understand, and explore opportunities for improvement. The AQIP Pathway follows a eight-year cycle.

Action Projects

The AQIP Pathway requires each institution to maintain three short-term action projects on an annual basis. The College identifies action projects that will have the most impact on quality improvement for the institution. Institutions are required to submit an annual Action Project Update describing their progress on at least one project per year to the HLC. This update is evaluated by an HLC peer reviewer, who provides feedback and guidance on advancing the project. Below is a complete list of action projects for Baker College:

• Building a AQIP Project Selection Framework (2018)
• Implementing an Institutional Quality Assurance Framework (2017-2018)
• College Preparation Program (2017-2018)
• Achieving Career Excellence (2016-2018)
• Develop an Institutional Quality Assurance Framework to Measure Institutional Effectiveness and Drive Continuous Quality Improvement Efforts (2015-2017)
• The Development of a Centralized Advising Framework to Support a Quarter-to-Semester Calendar Transition (2015-2017)
• Career Concepts (2014-2016)
• Financial Aid Literacy (2014-2016)
• Writing Analysis Project (2014-2016)
• Affirming Student Success Through Data (2012-2013)
• College and Career Immersion - Improving Learning for the Emerging Student (2012-2014)
• Lean Six Sigma Training (2012-2014)
• Academic Improvement Model (2009-2013)
• General Education Math Alignment and Redevelopment Project (2009-2012)
• Revise Reporting Process of Career Services Key Performance Indicators (2009-2012)
• Design of a Process for Student Advising (2007-2009)
• Improving General Education Through Increased Collaboration (2007-2009)
• Improving Learning of the Under-prepared Student (2007-2010)

Systems Portfolio

The Systems Portf0lio is a public portfolio describing the major fundamental systems of the institution to accomplish its mission and objectives. The portfolio outlines the key strengths and challenges of the institution. Specific questions in each of the AQIP Categories are answered and evidence is utilized to support the processes, results, and improvements. The six major categories are:

• Category 1: Helping Students Learn focuses on the design, deployment, and effectiveness of teaching-learning processes (and on the processes required to support them) that underlie the institution’s credit and non-credit programs and courses.
• Category 2: Meeting Student and Other Key Stakeholder Needs addresses the key processes (separate from instructional programs and internal support services) through which the institution serves its external stakeholders in support of its mission.
• Category 3: Valuing Employees explores the institution’s commitment to the hiring, development, and evaluation of faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Category 4: Planning and Leading focuses on how the institution achieves its mission and lives its vision through direction setting, goal development, strategic actions, threat mitigation, and capitalizing on opportunities.
• Category 5: Knowledge Management and Resource Stewardship addresses management of the fiscal, physical, technological, and information infrastructures designed to provide an environment in which learning can thrive.
• Category 6: Quality Overview focuses on the continuous quality improvement culture and infrastructure of the institution. This category gives the institution a chance to reflect on all its quality improvement initiatives, how they are integrated, and how they contribute to improvement of the institution.

For more information about accreditation and institutional research at Baker College, please visit our Institutional Effectiveness & Research page.

Contact

For more information about HLC accreditation at Baker College, contact:

Denise Bannan
Accreditation Liaison Officer, Baker College System
1020 S. Washington St.
Owosso, MI 48867
Phone: (989) 729-3431
Toll Free: (800) 469-3165
[email protected]

*Additional information on the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and AQIP.