Kankakee Community College

The Road to Accreditation

Agenda Definitions - handout HLC and the importance of accreditation AQIP process KCC’s constituents, mission, vision, core

value and strategic goals Where do employees fit in? How you can

help! Wrap Up

A. Higher Learning Center B. Hydraulic Lift Chair C. Higher Learning Committee D. Higher Learning Commission

What does HLC stand for?

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Offers accreditation for degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region of the United States.

HLC – North Central Region

A. When students receive course credits B. When a college receives course credits C. When a college receives official approval

from HLC D. All of the above E. None of the above

What is accreditation?

Federal and State Funding Financial Aid available Credits will transfer Degrees/Certificates can be conferred

The Importance of Accreditation

A. So student credentials will transfer B. So we stay in business C. So students receive Federal Financial Aid D. None of the above E. All of the above

Why does KCC need to be accredited?

Accreditation ProcessHLC

AQIPSystems Portfolio

A. All Quality is Perfect B. Academic Quality Improvement Program C. Academic Quality Improvement Plan D. None of the above

What does AQIP stand for?

The Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) is one of several pathways leading to reaffirmation of accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission

Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP)

AQIP Pathway Eight-Year Cycle

Action Projects 3 Action Projects required One must be related to Helping Students

Learn Action Project Teams report monthly to HLC

committee Annual report due to Higher Learning

Commission

AQIP process for accreditation

2003 To improve teaching/learning through a faculty

development process. Valuing people by improving human relation skills

throughout the institution. Improved Process for Student Evaluation of

Classes Developing market focused recruitment strategies

targeting recent high school graduates Redesign advisement and registration into a

student-centered developmental process  2005 Improvement and Alignment of Instructional

Program Assessment 2006 Assessing General Educational Outcomes Apply Continuous Quality Improvement Strategies

for Institutional Decision-Making Improve Communication Among KCC Staff

2009 Action Project Selection Process Revision 2010 Revise the College General Education Outcomes Improving and Institutionalizing KCC’s

College Leadership Development Program (LDP)

 2011 Assessing effectiveness of new

personnel evaluation forms with core values 2012 Improving the process for

new employee orientation  

Former Action Projects

Quantum Project – Improving Processes Across the College to Support Helping Students Learn

Redesigning developmental education structure, curriculum, and pedagogy

Strengthening and sustaining community Partnerships

Current Action Projects

A. A leather notebook used by ITS B. A system to report our portfolio C. A document that tells the story of the

college D. A stunning profile of the college

What is a Systems Portfolio?

Systems Portfolio Categories

1. Helping Students Learn2. Accomplishing Distinctive

Objectives3. Understanding Students’ and

Other Stakeholder’ Needs4. Valuing People5. Leading and Communicating6. Supporting Institutional

Operations7. Measuring Effectiveness 8. Planning continuous

Improvement9. Building Collaborative

Relationships

1. Helping Students Learn2. Meeting Student and

Other Key Stakeholder Needs

3. Valuing Employees4. Planning and Leading5. Knowledge

Management and Resource Stewardship

6. Quality Overview

Systems Portfolio Portfolio submitted every 4 years Questions on Process, Improvements and

Results are answered in portfolio and evaluated on maturity level

Response by HLC – Feedback report Continuous updating of information to HLC

committee for next Systems Portfolio

AQIP process for accreditation

A. College Quality Improvement B. College Quotient Intelligence C. Continuous Quality Improvement D. None of the above E. All of the above

What is CQI?

Continuous Quality Improvement

College “at large” work on improvements Report to HLC committee; Committees

share at Days of Learning; Spotlight department improvements in Update

AQIP process for accreditation

KCCEmployees

This means You

Responsible for: Core Values & Helping

students learn

Students

Take classes to earn degrees or

certificates

Community

Surveyed for needs and resources to

create partnerships and Strategic Goals

KCC Constituents

A. Enhancing life through quality learning. B. Enhancing quality of life through

learning. C. Enhancing learning for quality of life. D. Enhancing quality of life through KCC.

KCC’s Mission Statement is:

Mission – Enhancing quality of life through learning Vision - KCC is a flexible organization where teamwork is the

expectation and student/client success the driving force. Our shared vision is to be a leader in creatively and rapidly responding to our community's educational needs, emphasizing quality, affordability and effective partnerships.

Core Values ◦ Respect, Excellence, Learning, Integrity and Collaboration

Strategic Goals – 2014-2018◦ Create a culture of completion◦ Promote an environment of excellence and innovation◦ Develop career pathways in target industries ◦ Take a convening leadership role to strengthen and sustain community

partnerships◦ Redesign college foundational coursework

KCC-Mission, Vision, Core Values and Strategic Goals

Visual Alignment

A. Get involved with committees B. Smile, say hello, or ask may I help you? C. Share your ideas/suggestions for

improvements D. Go the extra step to make each KCC

student’s college experience a success E. All of the above

How can YOU make a difference?

Any idea no matter how small could affect other areas on campus or become an Action Project.

We want to hear about them.

Where do you fit in?

Constituents

Quality Improvements

Action Projects

Systems Portfolio

Accreditation by HLC

Review and summary

Campus Police

Student Services

Human Resources

Tutors

Financial Aid

Physical Plant Department

Board of Trustees

Faculty

Foundation

Library

Student Ambassadors

Student organizations

Bookstore

North Extension Center

South Extension Center

Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Center

Fitness Center

Accounting Office

Advisors

Adjunct faculty

Upward Bound & TRiO Talent Search

ITS

Division Administrative Assistant

Campus Security

Partnerships with Universities (ONU)

TRiO

Horticulture

Receptionist

Local Business

Elected official

Commencement speaker

Disability Services

Workforce Development

Athletics

GED-Adult Education

Retirees

Main Campus

Marketing/Media