| Accreditation and Quality Initiatives |  |
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) granted Central Arizona College correspondent status in March 1968; candidate status in March 1971; its first full accreditation status in March 1973; NCA accreditation for a seven-year period in July 1978; and accreditation for another seven-year period from October 1985 with a focus visit in 1987. In March 1993, NCA extended full accreditation to the District for ten years (the maximum period allowable).
In November 2000, Central Arizona College was accepted as a participant in the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), by the Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The decision to apply to become a participating institution was made collaboratively (and after in-depth discussions) by the Governing Board, the administration, the employee groups' leadership, and the college's accreditation steering committee.
As an AQIP institution, Central Arizona College is committed to improving all aspects of its operations. AQIP provides CAC with a structure to increasingly transform into an institution whose focus is continuous improvement. Institutional Quality Initiatives (Action Projects), the Systems Portfolio, and Systems Appraisal assist CAC in focusing our areas for improvement, as well as our improvement processes. In addition, CAC employees continue to participate in AQIP workshops and training such as the AQIP Strategy Forums, AQIP Champion Training, and Quality Project Management.
CAC has an infrastructure in place to support institutional improvements. This infrastructure is under the leadership of the Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Advancement and consists of the CAC Quality Council, the Coordinator of Accreditation and Quality Initiatives, and the Office of Institutional Planning and Research. In addition, it involves the active participation of the academic and non-academic units.
Links:
- Statement of Affiliation Status
- CAC's Participation as an AQIP Institution
Resources: Visit the website(s) below for additional information.
- Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- The Academy for Assessment of Student Learning
