ABOUT IOWA WESTERN

Quality CouncilAction ProjectsStrategic Goals Strategic Assumptions Systems Portfolio

Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP)

Iowa Western Community College has transitioned from the traditional accreditation model to the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). We embarked upon the quality improvement accreditation journey in 2005, as the college leadership initiated discussion and preparation for the next Higher Learning Commission’s accreditation process.

An AQIP Steering Committee comprised of administration and faculty leaders was created to assess the college’s interest in this alternative to the HLC’s ten-year accreditation cycle (Program to Evaluate and Advance Quality or PEAQ) and to plan the process of evolving from PEAQ to AQIP. The Steering Committee attended AQIP’s Vital Focus training in June 2005 and developed the foundation for this transition.

• AQIP Quality Council

Iowa Western Community College completed the AQIP Vital Focus self-assessment process during 2006. This process included:

• Constellation Survey September 2005
• Conversation Day October 2005
• Action Projects January 2006
• Strategy Forum March 2006

Iowa Western has embraced a culture of continuous improvement and recognizes that a quality institution requires the involvement of all stakeholders.

Accreditation

Iowa Western Community College is accredited as a post-secondary institution by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois.

• NCA Higher Learning Commission

Iowa Western Community College was initially granted accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (presently known as the Higher Learning Commission) in 1975. The College has maintained its accreditation status through the traditional self-study process. In December 2005 Iowa Western Community College was accepted into the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). This alternative accreditation process is predicated upon a continuous improvement model developed by the HLC.

• Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP)

Iowa Western is also accredited by the Iowa Department of Education. The College completed its interim state accreditation review in March 2006.

• Iowa Department of Education