NWCCD receives good news regarding accreditation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 19, 2012
Contact: Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu
Dennis Jacobs (307) 674-6446 ext. 2802/Email djacobs@sheridan.edu
NWCCD receives good news regarding accreditation
At a December 19, 2011 meeting, the Institutional Actions Council of the Higher Learning Commission-North Central Association voted to continue the accreditation of the Northern Wyoming Community College District through the Academic Quality Improvement Process (AQIP) with the next reaffirmation in 2018-19.
“This is a significant milestone for our college district,” said President Paul Young. “We have accomplished a great deal since becoming an AQIP member institution back in 2005 and I am extremely proud of our Trustees, staff, faculty and students. We simply have an amazing institution and this reaffirmation helps to highlight that fact.”
According to the Higher Learning Commission web site found at www.ncahlc.org, AQIP provides an alternative evaluation process for institutions already accredited by the Commission. AQIP is structured around quality improvement principles and processes and involves a structured set of goal-setting, networking, and accountability activities.
The reaffirmation is one step in a continuous seven year cycle, explains Young. “This progressive concept is valuable to our District and will help us continue to meet the rapidly shifting needs of the students, employers, and communities we serve,” said Young.
Part of the AQIP accreditation cycle includes the creation of a dynamic document called the Systems Portfolio. This document includes an organizational overview as well as specific information on how the institution meets key requirements for accreditation. It outlines key strategies, goals, challenges, and opportunities the institution faces. This information as well as information about all NWCCD AQIP projects can be found on the web site at www.sheridan.edu/about/aqip.