University Accreditation

Open ForumApril 7, 2011

Christa WalckProfessor & Assistant Provost

Criteria For Accreditation

1. Mission and Integrity2. Preparing for the Future3. Student Learning and

Effective Teaching4. Acquisition, Discovery, and

Application of Knowledge5. Engagement and Service

Programs: PEAQ vs. AQIP

PEAQProgram to Evaluate and Advance Quality

PEAQ employs a five-step comprehensive evaluation process to determine continued accredited status.

AQIPAcademic 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 Learn2. Accomplishing Other Distinctive Objectives3. Understanding Students’ and other Stakeholders’

Needs4. Valuing People5. Leading and Communicating6. Supporting Institutional Operations7. Measuring Effectiveness8. Planning Continuous Improvement9. Building Collaborative Relationships

AQIP Cycles of Improvement

• Action– One-year cycle– 3 or more Action

Projects– Annual updates

• Accreditation– Seven-year cycle– Check-up Visit– Reaffirmation of

Accreditation

• Strategy– Four-year cycle– Systems Portfolio– Systems Appraisal– Strategy Forum

Michigan Tech AQIP Timeline2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Acceptance to AQIP May

Initial Strategy Forum March

Institutional Data Update April April April April April April April

Start Action Projects June

Action Project Updates Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept

Feedback on Action Project Updates Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct

Systems Portfolio Submission June

Systems Appraisal Feedback & Summary Sept

Strategy Forum March

Quality Checkup Visit

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Summary of Action ProjectsTitle 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 ProjectsTitle Michigan Tech

Title AQIP Kickoff Date Expected

Completion Date Status

Academic Advising Enhancement

Academic Advising Enhancement April 3, 2009 June 2011 Active

International Experience

Improving the Processes Associated with International Experience

April 6, 2009 June 2011 Active

Gender DiversityIncrease Gender Diversity of Faculty & Students

Sept 20, 2010 Sept 20, 2012 Active

Professional Development

Create a systematic Employee Development Process

Oct. 2010 Oct. 2012 Active

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 achievementOne 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 supportBetter, 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 ExperienceGlobal 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.

Engage in research with international content and communicate results.

Study Abroad

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 ExperienceStudy 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 ExperienceStudy 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 ExperienceStudy 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 ExperienceStudy 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 FAIC4. 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 AcademyStructure of the Academy• Cohort of 20 participants for 10 months• Theme: transitioning from supervisor to leader and

continuous improvement using lean principlesLearning 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 Knowledge2. Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical

and Natural World3. Global Literacy4. Critical and Creative Thinking5. Communication6. Information Literacy7. Technology8. 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