Completed Projects

COMPLETED ACTION PROJECTS

Action Projects are quality activities CAC selects and focuses its efforts to support and drive continuous quality improvement. These activities are tied directly to the nine Academic Quality Improvement Program criteria, and group faculty and staff to share a sense of activity, momentum, and purpose, while implementing district wide quality improvement.

Action Project #1349 – Development and implementation of a comprehensive general education assessment plan.
Assessment at the course and program level exists, however assessment of general education outcomes need to be developed. The goal is to align existing assessment efforts at the course and program level to the general education outcomes and develop a comprehensive plan.

The following Action Projects are a result of CAC’s newly estastablished Quality Initiatives Proposal (QIP) process. This process was established to provide support for the development and implementation of initaitives that will improve CAC systems and processes.

Action Project – Develop a College Culture Focused on Quality
Results from two district-wide surveys, the Learning College Survey and the Quality Program Questionnaire revealed that the level of awareness and understanding of quality-related initiatives among employees was below expectation. There was a need to establish a comprehensive, broad-based quality improvement framework, which was consistent with the Systems Appraisal Feedback. This project will focus on promoting a culture of quality by embedding practices of quality improvement in CAC’s existing annual operational planning process.
Develop a College Culture Focused on Quality 2012 Completed
Develop a College Culture Focused on Quality 2011 Feedback 
Develop a College Culture Focused on Quality 2010 Feedback

The following Action Projects were in response to feedback received in the 1997 Quality Checkup Report and the April 2008 Reaffirmation of Accreditation Recommendation. Statewide initiatives and national emphasis on assessment prompted CAC to broaden its efforts in this area.

Action Project #1348 – Review and revise the Central Arizona College (CAC) General Education Learning Outcomes.
CAC developed and adopted a college policy in 1997 and in 1998 a set of general education learning outcomes were developed. Given the changing times and needs of CAC students and the community it serves, the college recognizes it is time to review and appropriately revise these outcomes to meet the needs for today and the future.
General Education Outcomes 2010 Completed
2009 Annual Update and Feedback
2008 Annual Update and Feedback

Action Project #1378 – Develop and implement a program review process that is clear and consistent, providing the institution with information to improve educational programs.
Recent program reviews identified gaps and inconsistencies in the process. Therefore, it was determined the process should be reviewed and revised appropriately.
Academic Program Review 2012 Completed
Academic Program Review 2010 Feedback
2009 Annual Update and Feedback
2008 Annual Update and Feedback

Action Project #1379 – Develop a set of institutional measures of effectiveness
CAC completed its revision of the Vision, Mission, Values, and Strategic Goals. In order to appropriately measure the institution’s progress toward its vision and goals, measures of effectiveness aligning to these guiding documents must be in place and assessed.
Institutional Measures of Effectivenss 2012 Completed
Institutional Measures of Effectiveness 2011 Feedback
Institutional Measures of Effectiveness 2010 Feedback
2009 Annual Update and Feedback
2008 Annual Update and Feedback

In 2001, CAC, like many institutions participating in the initial stages of AQIP, identified three Action Projects of places where to begin. These proved to be broad in their scope; some were narrowed in focus, some resulted in positive improvements, and others were retired as improvement steps were implemented.

Action Project #183 – Construct and implement a dynamic institutional planning process
Institutional Strategic Goals – The first in nearly 15 years, these goals set the foundation for the college’s transformation to strategic operational planning and budgeting.
2001 Annual Update and Feedback 2004 Annual Update
2002 Annual Update and Feedback 2005 Annual Update
2003 Annual Update and Feedback

Action Project #184 – Strengthen and enhance student assessment and advisement to promote learner success
Improved Student Advisement Systems and Processes – The development of online advising tools and assessments prompted the discussion and initiatives around the development of outcomes and program review in the non-academic units of the college.
2001 Annual Update and Feedback 2004 Annual Update
2002 Annual Update 2005 Annual Update
2003 Annual Update and Feedback

Action Project #185 – Improve data collection, data processing and information dissemination methods for learning support
Revised Academic Hierarchy in Banner – The monumental accomplishment began with the continued effort to provide accurate and meaningful data to assist in effective and strategic decision making.
2001 Annual Update and Feedback 2004 Annual Update
2002 Annual Update and Feedback 2005 Annual Update
2003 Annual Update and Feedback

Action Project #868 – Develop and implement a Non-Academic Review Process
The Non-Academic Program Review process is a direct result of reviewing the Systems Appraisal and participation in an AQIP Strategy Forum. This project was completed and a timeline for implementation developed.
2007 Annual Update

Action Project #870 – Develop a process for assigning courses Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) status at Central Arizona College
The process for new courses proposing AGEC designation, as well as the removal of AGEC designation from courses, was embedded within the college curriculum review process.
2007 Annual Update