The Effectiveness of the AQUIP Accreditation Model for Community College Leaders to Address Institutional Issues

Community college leaders are often faced with addressing institutional issues
that arise. Additionally, community college leaders are also expected to keep their
institutions post-secondary degree-granting accreditation from their regional association
of the Higher Learning Commission. In 1999, the North Central Association of the
Higher Learning Commission created the Academic Quality Improvement Program
(AQIP) as an alternative process through which an already accredited institution could
maintain their accreditation. Infusing the principles and benefits of continuous quality
improvement (CQI), the AQIP model uses structured goal-setting activities to improve
institutional performance, while meeting the needs of their stakeholders and address
institutional issues. According to the Higher Learning Commission (2013), as of May 17th, 2013, 202 institutions of higher education are using the AQIP accreditation model to maintain their accreditation status, however little research has been done to study its effectiveness, value or institutional support. Additionally, there has been no substantive research of the embedded CQI activities in this model to determine if these activities or actions have significantly added value or been effective in this process.
This study was designed to provide first-hand knowledge of this model by
applying a case-study participant-observer approach. Artifacts, field notes and interviews
were used to research this topic and determine the effectiveness of the model. Participants were able to reveal their perspectives and realizations were supported by the artifacts and field notes.
In summary, the increasing implementation of the AQIP model into higher
education institutions suggested that this model would be an effective option for
institutions to retain their accreditation. The initial finding maintained this theory;
however it also unveiled challenges, barriers and cons if not implemented with the correct leadership, culture and support. These key findings add important value and insight for a topic that has not been significantly researched.