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Frequently Asked Questions
What is AQIP?
AQIP stands for the Academic Quality Improvement Program, which is an alternative accreditation process developed by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It consists of a continuous process of examining institutional practices and working together to identify needed improvements. A minimum of three Action Projects are always active, with at least one focusing on the core function of the college: Helping Students Learn.
Prior to our acceptance into AQIP, Heartland Community College engaged in the Program to Evaluate and Advance Quality (PEAQ) accreditation guidelines and processes. These processes involved self-studies and on-site visits by Consultant-Evaluators. Excerpts from past self studies conducted by Heartland Community College are available under History: Past Self Studies.
Why did HCC choose to apply to AQIP?
By its nature, the AQIP process offers a forward-looking approach both to accreditation and to institutional quality improvement. Ever since the College's founding in 1990, HCC has embraced processes designed to create a culture of quality improvement, and AQIP fits very naturally within those institutional traditions. AQIP's emphasis on teamwork and continuous improvement, as well as its focus on specific practical actions, help to make the accreditation process more meaningful to the entire College community.
How does AQIP work?
Heartland was accepted into AQIP in October of 2005 which started us in a seven year cycle.
- Campus Conversation Days are held annually to garner new ideas and report progress
- Action Projects are created based on ideas from throughout the campus
- Recomendations from Action Projects are submitted for approval to the cabinet
- The Systems Portfolio is updated annually and periodically submitted for feedback from external reviewers (the first portfolio will be written in 2008/2009)
- Every seventh year Heartland's accreditation is reviewed for reaffirmation
What are the 9 AQIP Categories?
These 9 categories are the key processes for measuring and analyzing our institution’s performance within AQIP. The relationships among the 9 categories is depicted at AQIP Categories Diagram * (available in PDF format, 281 KB, 1 page)
*Note: You must download and install Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ in order to view and print the AQIP Diagram.
- Helping Students Learn
- Accomplishing Other Distinctive Objectives
- Understanding Students’ & Other Stakeholders’ Needs
- Valuing People
- Leading & Communicating
- Supporting Institutional Operations
- Measuring Effectiveness
- Planning Continuous Improvement
- Building Collaborative Relationships
What has Heartland accomplished through AQIP?
- For a list of completed Action Projects see HCC AQIP Home
- For a list of Quick Fixes see Quick Fix Subteam
What is my role in AQIP at Heartland Community College?
In order that AQIP be fully effective, the entire campus community should be fully involved. There are several ways to participate, including: joining an Action Project or the Coordinating Committee, assisting with Campus Conversation Day planning, writing articles for the AQIP newsletter or assisting with the collection of information for the Systems Portfolio. To get involved contact the AQIP Coordinating Committee chair or use the suggestions link.
What is an Action Project?
Action projects are the vehicles through which the college focuses on improving specific areas. Three or four projects are always active and at least one focuses on the core function of the college: Helping Students Learn. To be successful, Action Projects require involvement of administration, faculty and staff members engaging in continuous quality improvement.
The current Action Projects at HCC are:
How are new Action Projects created?
The New Action Project Subteam collects ideas from various sources such as suggestions made to this site, Campus Conversation Days, etc. The New Action Project Subteam and the Coordinating Committee evaluate these ideas based on a number of criteria. A small team writes a charter for the selected project with input from appropriate stakeholders. Finally, the project activity begins once team members are identified. For further details see AQIP New Projects Process (available in MS Word format, 34 KB, 1 page).
What is the Systems Portfolio?
The AQIP Systems Portfolio is a document through which HCC will identify and self-evaluate each of the major systems Heartland employs to accomplish its mission and objectives, such as Helping Students Learn and Valuing People. We anticipate that every part of the campus will be involved in creating the portfolio. The task of assembling the Systems Portfolio will give all of us a better understanding of the usefulness of the systems and processes used at HCC.
Upon the initial completion, the Systems Portfolio will be available electronically and will be maintained yearly.
Heartland's Systems Portfolio is due on June 1, 2009. Upon review HCC will receive valuable feedback in the form of a Systems Appraisal Feedback Report about our strengths and opportunities for improvement.
Information on the Systems Portfolio can be found at History: Systems Portfolio.
How do I find out more information about AQIP?
For information on the Higher Learning Commission's Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), see http://www.aqip.org.
