Q	What does AQIP stand for?
A	AQIP stands for Academic Quality Improvement Program. Launched by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in 1999, the program offers an alternative reaccreditation pathway emphasizing continuous quality improvement. The HLC's Handbook for Accreditation summarizes the program as follows: "The Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) infuses the principles and benefits of continuous improvement into the culture of colleges and universities by providing an alternative process through which an already-accredited institution can maintain its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.” For more information, please visit the AQIP website.
Q	When did Pueblo Community College join AQIP?
A	In 2001, the Higher Learning Commission reaffirmed PCC’s accreditation for another ten years. PCC voted to join AQIP in 2002 and was accepted in the program in 2003. In joining AQIP, PCC committed itself to continuous and recurring quality improvement based on valid performance measures, reliable assessment data, and employment of those data in improving our college. For more information, please visit the PCC's AQIP History webpage.
Q	What is a Quality Checkup Visit?
A	When AQIP admits an institution, the formal date of its next reaccreditation visit, also known as Quality Checkup Visit, is scheduled in seven years. PCC hosted its first Quality Checkup Visit in February 2010. The main objectives of the Quality Checkup Visit are to: ·         Affirm the accuracy of the organization’s Systems Portfolio; ·         Confirm the institution’s compliance with accreditation expectations and counsel the institution concerning any issues that require immediate attention; and ·         Assess the strength and direction of the organization’s commitment to systematic quality improvement through interaction with various groups of personnel. For more information, please visit our 2010 Quality Checkup webpage.
Q	How does an AQIP institution maintain its accredited status with the Higher Learning Commission?
A	In AQIP, accreditation is reaffirmed every seven years. A Review Panel reviews the institution’s assembled, cumulative record of activity and judges whether it has documented that it meets the Higher Learning Commission’s five Criteria for Accreditation. The AQIP Review Panel on Reaffirmation can recommend to the Higher Learning Commission’s Institutional Actions Council any of the following: ·         That the institution meets the Criteria for Accreditation and the obligations of AQIP without issue, and that it continue participation in AQIP with its accreditation reaffirmed for another seven years. ·         That the institution meets the Criteria for Accreditation and the obligations of AQIP, but that specific monitoring on a progress or improvement issue take place through the Actions Projects or other means. ·         That the institution presents such a serious issue of potential non-compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation that the Commission should consider taking immediate action. For more information, please visit PCC’s Re-Accreditation Process webpage.
Q	What is a Systems Portfolio?
A	Crafted during the first three years of AQIP involvement, the Systems Portfolio consists of a 100-page document describing an institution’s major systems, current practices and current levels of performance. The Systems Portfolio serves a number of purposes simultaneously. It is:   ·         A means by which an institution can get actionable feedback on its organizational strengths and opportunities from a team of quality improvement experts and educators; ·         A body  of evidence to show the Higher Learning Commission that an institution is meeting the Criteria for Accreditation; ·         A common reference point that lets everyone share an understanding of how an institution is organized, what its key processes are, what kind of performance those processes produce, and how they can be improved; ·          A planning tool that helps an institution shape its future agenda and concentrate everyone’s attention on those areas that should be the focus of scrutiny for improvement; ·         Evidence, over time, that AQIP is working to the institution’s advantage; and ·         A public information and relations tool that lets stakeholders understand clearly and persuasively what an institution is accomplishing with its resources.   Each institution’s Systems Portfolio describes context, processes, results and improvement in the following Categories:     For more information, please visit PCC’s Systems Portfolio webpage.
Q	How often should the Systems Portfolio be updated?
A	The Systems Portfolio serves as an always-available report on institutional vitality for stakeholders, including other accrediting and state agencies, and as the primary evidence AQIP examines to make recommendations concerning the institution’s continuing participation in the program. The Systems Portfolio should be updated whenever major changes occur or new performance data becomes available. For instance, if an institution undertakes an initiative leading to the redesign of a key institutional process that makes it more effective or efficient, then the Systems Portfolio should be updated to include a description of the new system and data showing how performance has improved.  An up-to-date version of the Systems Portfolio must be submitted to AQIP every four years.
Q	What is included in the Systems Portfolio Appraisal Feedback report?
A	Once every four years, AQIP assigns a peer reviewer Systems Appraisal Team to conduct a rigorous and formal review of the institution’s current Systems Portfolio in order to assure it is following appropriate practices and in order to provide the institution with actionable feedback on its next priorities for improvement.  The Systems Appraisal Feedback Report highlights an institution’s strategic issues, strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. For more information, please visit PCC’s Systems Portfolio webpage.
Q	What is an Action Project?
A	In AQIP, institutions identify and take action to address their most crucial issues through Action Projects. Action Projects create a foundation for an institution’s improvement initiatives, and demonstrate to AQIP the vitality of its commitment to quality.  The description of an Action Project includes: ·         The reasons for taking on this Action Project now (why the project and its goals are high among current priorities); ·         A plan of action and a timeline from kick-off to target completion; and ·         Outcome measures or indicators that will tell whether the Action Project has been a success or failure in achieving its goals.   Every September, an Annual Update on current Action Projects is submitted to AQIP to report on: ·         The progress being made, based on each project’s timelines, goals, and measures; ·         Problems, snags, delays, and challenges encountered; and ·         Any outstanding successes and discoveries.   After submitting the Annual Update to AQIP, two quality improvement experts are assigned to review the Annual Update and provide feedback to the institution to help the Action Project Team stay on course to accomplish the goals of the project.  For more information, please visit our Action Projects webpage.
Q	How many active Action Projects should an AQIP institution maintain at any given time?
A	AQIP institutions must maintain at least three active Action Projects at any particular time.  Because AQIP is an Academic Quality Improvement Program, at least one Action Project must relate directly to Category 1: Helping Students Learn.
Q	Where can I find examples of Action Projects implemented at other institutions?
A	Action Projects are shared through an online Action Project Directory to promote collaboration, to communicate self-improvement efforts of higher education to the public, and to highlight “outstanding practices” that deserve Commission acclaim and broader recognition. The Action Project Directory allows any visitor to search for current and successfully completed Action Projects by title (or by a word or phrase in the title), AQIP category related to the project, and/or institution. To access the Action Project Directory, please click on the following link: AQIP Action Project Directory.
Q	As a PCC employee, what is my role in AQIP?
A	As a PCC employee, your input is vital to helping the college continuously improve its systems and processes and maintain its accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission. There are several ways you can participate in AQIP, including: ·         Joining an Action Project team; ·         Leading an Action Project; ·         Contributing to the ongoing update of our Systems Portfolio; ·         Offering your suggestions for improvement trough your chain of command or your College Assembly representative; and ·         Integrating the principles and benefits of continuous quality improvement into your daily operations.   For more information please contact PCC’s AQIP Liaison, Patricia Diawara, at Patricia.Diawara@pueblocc.edu.