District and colleges receive re-accreditation
Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD) has received formal word that the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) has extended the district’s accreditation through 2015. This includes each of EICCD’s three colleges, Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges.
NCA is the accrediting body for colleges and universities throughout the United States. It is recognized by the US Department of Education. Institutions receiving accreditation must first complete an extensive review process with the organization.
“NCA accreditation is an important accomplishment for all colleges,” EICCD Chancellor Dr. Pat Keir said. “We are very proud that we continue to receive this vote of confidence from NCA in the quality education we provide for each of our students.”
To receive accreditation, EICCD completed a rigorous Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). EICCD was one of the first colleges to become an AQIP College in 2000. That process is now becoming a standard for colleges to follow.
In its report, the NCA Review Team said: “EICCD has been cited as a model of excellence in its AQIP efforts by the Quality Review Team. Using Continuous Quality Improvement principles, EICCD has strengthened its service to the internal and external constituents and has demonstrated a commitment to responding positively to the future needs of these constituents.
“Its continued participation and development as a AQIP leader should be referenced as a model for future AQIP applicants.”
The Review Team further noted that EICCD and its colleges met all of the NCA Criteria for Accreditation and that no follow-up was required.
The team particularly noted the college’s focus on students and, later in the report, the business community:
Students: “EICCD has actively engaged in nine Action Projects since becoming an AQIP College in 2000. Of particular note is that the majority of the Action Projects focus on improving student learning and retention.”
Business: “In an Open Community Forum it quickly became obvious that community leaders and representatives from business and industry are very supportive of EICCD. These relationships show EICCD’s commitment to building collaborative relationships that benefit both the institution and the community.”
A key difference between the AQIP process for accreditation and the traditional process is that AQIP is continuous. Where the traditional process requires a college to review its practices just prior to applying for re-accreditation, AQIP requires the college to continuously be examining where it stands in relationship to its goals.