Higher Learning Commission Mark of Affiliation

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Higher Learning Commission

Mid-Plains Community College is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC is an independent corporation and one of two commission members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), which was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The Higher Learning Commission accredits, and thereby grants membership in the Commission and in the North Central Association, degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region.

Academic Quality Improvement Program – AQIP

The Commission’s 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. An institution in AQIP demonstrates how it meets accreditation standards and expectations through a sequence of events that align with the ongoing activities of an institution striving to improve its performance. AQIP is structured around quality improvement principles and processes and involves a structured set of goal-setting, networking, and accountability activities including AQIP’s Strategy Forums, Systems Appraisals, and various other processes.

Read the Commission’s Introduction to AQIP.

Systems Portfolio

The Systems Portfolios cover the nine AQIP Categories, describing processes, results, and improvement in each system, and shows evidence that the institution continues to meet The Higher Learning Commission’s five Criteria for Accreditation.

View the Systems Portfolio

 Supplemental Data for the Systems Portfolio:

Systems Appraisal Feedback Report

Systems Appraisal Feedback Report, which shows the institution how the team understood its distinctive mission, context, and goals, and provides feedback on each of the nine AQIP Categories, identifying what the team sees as the institution’s strengths and opportunities for improvement.

MPCC Initial Response to Feedback

AQIP Action Projects

AQIP action projects are specific improvement initiatives that show a serious commitment to a regimen of continuous improvement.

A summary of current and past action projects are listed below. Click on project titles to see reports.

Table of Current and Past Action Projects

Project No
Title
Members
Status Update
Year Concluded
12

Student Support Services Awareness

Winnie Dolph, Jessica Hinrichs, Thomas Matz, Cindy Odean, Kelly Rippen (Co-Lead), Kristi Salestrom, Tina Walker (Co-Lead)

Liaisons:  Aaron McLean, Michele Gill
Active
10

Supporting Technology Users

Josh Blagdon, Julie Goans, Tim Hall (Co-Lead), Loretta Hauxwell, Mary Lister, Becky Meyers (Co-Lead), Marla Sanders, Tina Walker

Liaisons:  Becky Meyers, Mike Steele
Active
9

Website Redesign

Kent Beel, Dale Brown, Jared Daily, Jessica Epting (Co-Lead), Christopher Fenwick, Jennifer Morgan, Tad Pfeifer, Chuck Salestrom (Co-Lead), Sky Seery

Liaisons:  Tad Pfeifer, Chuck Salestrom
Active
8

Improving Intra-college Communication

Jessie Allen (Co-Lead), Casey Blake, Willma Douty, Rick Michaelson (Co-Lead), Lana Stewart, Denise Sullivan, Susan Watts

Liaisons:  Nicole Kissinger, Ryan Purdy
Active
7

Learning outcome review: When and where

Jared Daily, Crystal Evans, Tim Golden,James Hall, Cindy Litz, Aaron McLean,
Lorrie Mowry, Lauri Rickley, Dora Zeimens

Liaisons:  Tad Pfeifer, Jody Tomanek
Active
6

Internal customer service

Angie Blocher, Sarah Dockray, Sharon Kircher, Cathy Nutt, Jamie Peters, Brandon Pritchett, Kelly Rippen, Janet Weber

Liaisons:  Heather Harvie, Mike Steele
Active
5

Plan for student retention

Jessie Allen, Rob Bogardus, Sarah Dockray, Kathy Fickenscher, Angela Franke, Candace Havely, Sherry Mihel, Tad Pfeifer, Kristi Salestrom (Lead), Carol Sandau, Benjamin Smith

Facilitator:  Charles Osteen
Retired
2012
4

Summarize evidence of student learning college-wide

Jessie Allen, Megan Friesen, Nicole Hampton, Diane Hoffmann, Sara Morris, Kelly Rippen, Sue Watts

Facilitator:  Jan Schartz
Retired
2011
3

Effective facility utilization

Karen Bowlin, Tom Gorman, Patty Hongsermeier, Dee Maxwell, Nancy Newman, Jamie Peters, Marla Sanders, Sue Watts, Crystal Welch, Mari Jo Widger (Lead)

Facilitator:  Chad Swanson
Retired
2010
2

Evaluation of current programs

Lorrie Mowry, Deb Martin, Tyler Esch, Dora Ziemens, Chuck Salestrom, Janet Weber, Berva Arensdorf, Steve Johnson, Becky Meyers

Facilitator:  Michele Gill
Retired
2011
1

New program evaluation

Angela Raby, Lana Stewart

Facilitator:  Cinch Munson
Retired
2009

AQIP Core Team

Marcus Garstecki, Ryan Purdy, Michele Gill, Heather Harvie, Nicole Kissinger, Aaron McLean, Becky Meyers, Tad Pfeifer, Angela Raby, Chad Swanson, Cindy Odean

Quality Checkup Visit Materials

Quality Program Summary

Branch Campus Report

Federal Compliance Materials

Agenda

Link to campus maps

AQIP Updates

AQIP Appraisal Feedback Report

AQIP Quality Checkup Visit

AQIP Quality Principles

MPCC’s Completed Action Projects

Strategic Planning and AQIP

In-progress Action Projects

Upcoming AQIP Action Projects

The NEW Criteria for Accreditation

Agenda for the AQIP Quality Checkup Visit

Quality Checkup Visit this Week