University Accreditation
Open Forum
April 7, 2011
Christa Walck
Professor & Assistant Provost
Criteria For Accreditation
1. Mission and Integrity
2. Preparing for the Future
3. Student Learning and
Effective Teaching
4. Acquisition, Discovery, and
Application of Knowledge
5. Engagement and Service
Programs: PEAQ vs. AQIP
PEAQ
Program to
Evaluate and
Advance
Quality
PEAQ employs a five-step
comprehensive evaluation
process to determine
continued accredited
status.
AQIP
Academic
Quality
Improvement
Program
AQIP is structured around
quality improvement
principles and processes and
involves a structured set of
goal-setting, networking,
and accountability activities.
AQIP Categories
1. Helping Students Learn
2. Accomplishing Other Distinctive Objectives
3. Understanding Students’ and other
Stakeholders’ Needs
4. Valuing People
5. Leading and Communicating
6. Supporting Institutional Operations
7. Measuring Effectiveness
8. Planning Continuous Improvement
9. Building Collaborative Relationships
AQIP Cycles of Improvement
• Action
• Accreditation
– One-year cycle
– 3 or more Action
Projects
– Annual updates
• Strategy
–
–
–
–
Four-year cycle
Systems Portfolio
Systems Appraisal
Strategy Forum
– Seven-year cycle
– Check-up Visit
– Reaffirmation of
Accreditation
Michigan Tech AQIP Timeline
2005
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
April
April
April
April
April
April
Action Project Updates
Sept
Sept
Sept
Sept
Sept
Sept
Feedback on Action
Project Updates
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Acceptance to AQIP
Initial Strategy Forum
2006
May
March
Institutional Data Update
April
Start Action Projects
June
Systems Portfolio
Submission
June
Systems Appraisal
Feedback & Summary
Sept
Strategy Forum
Quality Checkup Visit
Reaffirmation of
Accreditation
March
Summary of Action Projects
Title
Michigan Tech
Title
AQIP
Kickoff Date
Expected
Completion Date
Status
Improving the
Diversity of the
Faculty
Improving the
Diversity of the
Faculty
June 1, 2006
Sept 18, 2008
Completed
Learning Space
Enhancement
Classroom and
Facilities Upgrade
Plan
June 1, 2006
Sept 24, 2008
Completed
Comprehensive
University Space
Inventory Process
Comprehensive
University Space
Inventory Process
June 1, 2006
Oct 3, 2008
Completed
Carbon Neutral
Carbon Counting
June 1, 2007
Sept 14, 2010
Completed
Summary of Action Projects
Title
Michigan Tech
Academic Advising
Enhancement
International
Experience
Gender Diversity
Professional
Development
Title
AQIP
Academic Advising
Enhancement
Improving the
Processes
Associated with
International
Experience
Increase Gender
Diversity of Faculty
& Students
Create a systematic
Employee
Development
Process
Expected
Completion Date
Status
April 3, 2009
June 2011
Active
April 6, 2009
June 2011
Active
Sept 20, 2010
Sept 20, 2012
Active
Oct. 2010
Oct. 2012
Active
Kickoff Date
AQIP Project: Increasing Gender Diversity
of Faculty & Students
The goal of this project is to develop processes and practices
that will increase the gender diversity of faculty and students
in order to
– “prepare students to create the future” (mission) and
– “attract, retain, and support a world-class and diverse
faculty, staff, and student population” (goal).
It will improve processes for students and faculty, and
communicate the value of gender diversity to our
stakeholders.
AQIP Project: Increasing Gender Diversity
of Faculty & Students
Five interrelated projects:
1. Communication campaign: Develop and communicate
gender/diversity goals to all stakeholders.
2. Improve brand awareness of Michigan Tech among females
in external environment.
3. Improve processes for recruiting and mentoring female
faculty (NSF ADVANCE Grant)
4. Improve processes for recruiting female students.
5. Improve processes for advising and mentoring female
students.
AQIP Project: Increasing Gender Diversity
of Faculty & Students
• Goal 1: 35% of all students (graduate and
undergraduate) at Michigan Tech will be women by
2020
• Goal 2: Top 10 for number of engineering
undergraduate degrees granted to women
• Goal 3: Exceed national average for women faculty
and students in STEM disciplines
The Case for Increasing Female Enrollment
at Michigan Tech
IT’S STRATEGIC
• Women are half of the world’s population – we need to attract and
retain them. Our students will gain a better understanding of
contemporary global social and cultural contexts with engaged,
thoughtful men and women in the classroom.
• There are highly qualified women students we are not reaching.
Women tend to engage more in research and other activities that
promote social development, which supports our goal of
sustainable economic and social development.
The Case for Increasing Female Enrollment
at Michigan Tech
IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO
The world needs more talented scientists and engineers, but
cultural barriers in STEM disciplines challenge even gifted
women. Encouraging girls and young women to consider
careers in STEM and pave the way to success is the right thing
for us to do.
The Case for Increasing Female Enrollment
at Michigan Tech
IT WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION
• We need to educate the whole person. Women students want to
make a difference and take on more leadership roles on campus.
More women students will change the learning environment at
Michigan Tech.
• More women on campus will improve the climate for diversity. It
will alleviate the isolation of female students majoring in fields
where they are a small minority, and create a better social climate
for male students, preparing them to work with women when they
graduate.
The Case for Increasing Female Enrollment
at Michigan Tech
IT’S GOOD BUSINESS
•
Upgrading overall academic achievement
One of the most predictable drivers of academic success is the quality of the student body.
Women are strong students, and we need to attract them to our talent pool. As the overall
quality of our applicant pool rises, we can be more selective.
•
Improving retention
As the quality of our student body improves, fewer students will leave for academic reasons.
If we achieve a critical mass of women in all disciplines, they will be more comfortable here
and more likely to stay. The male students may be more likely to stay, too.
•
Enhancing alumni support
Better, happier students become more successful, engaged alumni who are more likely to
support the University.
•
Raising US News rankings
More-selective admissions, higher retention, and alumni engagement are all drivers of US
News rankings.
AQIP Project: Increasing Gender Diversity
of Faculty & Students
DESIRED OUTCOMES
• Increased % of retention and graduation of female students.
• Increased % of retention, tenure and promotion of female
faculty
• Improved satisfaction of female students and faculty.
• Improved membership in organizations supporting women,
and participation by women in Enterprise and professional
science & engineering organizations.
AQIP Project: International Experience
Michigan Tech’s Strategic Plan Goal 2 encourages student
participation in international experiences in order to understand the
social and cultural contexts of the contemporary world.
AQIP tasks:
1.
Clarify student options for international experiences so that
students can be better informed about opportunities and assisted
in selecting opportunities appropriate to their needs.
2.
Identify all current programs that could broadly be considered
“faculty-led” and determine how and where coordination
between academic units, IPS and the Provost is necessary to
facilitate international experiences.
AQIP Project: International Experience
Global Citizenship Award
COPPER AWARD
SILVER AWARD
GOLD AWARD
GOALS
Demonstrate
exposure to diverse
cultures and global
and cultural
awareness
Demonstrate
confidence and
competence in an
intercultural setting.
Demonstrate ability to
engage in another
culture in an
international setting.
SAMPLE
ACTIVITIES
Active membership in
International Club,
Global City or other
student
organizations.
Engage in D80
projects.
Study Abroad
Engage in research
with international
content and
communicate results.
Conduct research in
international setting
Engineers without
Borders
AQIP Project: International Experience
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP AWARD
• Rank-orders experiences which would help students
understand the social and cultural contexts of the
contemporary world.
• Encourages students to gain the experience necessary to be a
global citizen – both on campus and studying abroad.
• It is open to all students at Michigan Tech - undergraduate
and graduate domestic and international students.
AQIP Project: International Experience
Study Abroad
Important guidelines:
• Assure the safety and protection of students
studying abroad.
• Promote consistency and reduce redundancies
with a process that is helpful and not onerous
for faculty.
• Follow university policies to reduce university
liability.
AQIP Project: International Experience
Study Abroad
1. What aspects of faculty-led programs should be
centralized in IPS so that IPS can provide oversight
and consistency?
2. What aspects should be delegated to academic
units so that innovation is encouraged?
3. What aspects should be overseen by the Provost to
insure fairness and consistency?
4. How and where coordination between academic
units, IPS and the Provost is necessary to facilitate
international experiences?
AQIP Project: International Experience
Study Abroad
1. Faculty International Academic Coordinator (FAIC).
A faculty member with significant international
experience, appointed by the Provost.
2. New faculty-led study abroad programs must follow
a consistent process.
3. Existing study abroad programs should assure that
they meet the criteria underlying this process.
4. All programs which involve Michigan Tech students
in international travel and study require standard
documentation, insurance and a briefing.
AQIP Project: International Experience
Study Abroad
Review process for study abroad programs:
1. Attend annual fall semester study abroad
workshop.
2. Develop a concept proposal.
–
–
Estimate revenues & expenses to determine break-even
Cover instructor salary & expenses
3. Review of concept proposal by FAIC
4. Register and promote accepted proposals.
5. Pre-departure briefing.
AQIP Project: Academic Advising
• Academic Advising Council
• Assessment of Advising:
– Student learning objectives: Requirements for
graduation
– Advising processes & delivery
• Advisor resources:
–
–
–
–
Expectations for Advisors
website, handbook, FAQs, resource map
Training – ethics, DARS
Regular workshops
AQIP Project: Professional
Development
Goal: Develop, implement and continuously
evaluate a system that supports and
encourages professional development and
provides all employees with opportunities to
improve their knowledge, skills and abilities.
AQIP Project: Professional
Development
Supervisor Education – Leadership Academy
Structure of the Academy
• Cohort of 20 participants for 10 months
• Theme: transitioning from supervisor to leader and
continuous improvement using lean principles
Learning outcomes
• Understand and apply core competencies
• Improve strategic plan implementation
• Utilize lean principles to improve a process
• Plan for professional and career development
AQIP Project: Professional
Development
Core Training for All Supervisors
• Recruiting and hiring policies, conducting interviews,
reference checking
• Performance management, conducting effective performance
appraisals, on-going reviews, corrective action, discipline
• Legal issues for supervisors (FLSA, AAO, Workers comp, etc.)
• Supervisor responsibilities and accountabilities, including
supervising in a union environment
• HR policies and procedures
• Introduction to Continuous Improvement
Assessment of Student Learning
• AQIP Category 1 = Helping Students Learn
• First Step: University Student Learning Goals
– Developed by Assessment and General Education
Councils
– Reviewed by Deans & Directors
– Reviewed by Board of Control & Senate
committee
– Feedback from USG, GSG
• Identify General Education Learning Goals
University Student Learning Goals
1. Disciplinary Knowledge
2. Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical
and Natural World
3. Global Literacy
4. Critical and Creative Thinking
5. Communication
6. Information Literacy
7. Technology
8. Values and Civic Engagement
Assessment of Student Learning
• Next Steps:
– Integrate SLOs with professional accreditation (AACSB,
ABET, SAF)
– Establish student learning goals for College of Science
and Arts degree programs
– Integrate with Student Affairs and Academic Advising
learning goals
– Map University SLOs onto program curricula
e.g., where do students learn Information Literacy
during their 4+ years at Michigan Tech?
– Assess University SLOs
University AQIP Forums
•
•
•
•
USG March 23
GSG March 28
University Senate April 6
AQIP Open Forum April 7 4pm
MUB Ballroom B3
• Assessment Open Forum April 25 1:30pm
MUB Ballroom B2-3
THANK YOU!
• AQIP webpage: www.mtu.edu/aqip
• Feel free to contact me and give me feedback
on AQIP projects and assessment!
Christa Walck
cwalck@mtu.edu