HLC is phasing out the AQIP Pathway. NMU has moved to the Open Pathway of HLC accreditation. For historical purposes, the AQIP processes and structures are important because NMU was an AQIP institution until 2018. The structure explained below guided Northern in our quality work while we were an AQIP institution.
AQIP defined the following six “Categories for Improving Academic Quality”
Helping Students Learn
Focused on the design, deployment, and effectiveness of teaching-learning processes (and on the processes required to support them) that underlie the institution's credit and non-credit programs and courses.
Meeting Student and Other Stakeholder Needs
Addressed determining, understanding, and meeting needs of current and prospective students' and other key stakeholders such as alumni and community partners.
Valuing Employees
Explored the institution's commitment to the hiring, development, and evaluation of faculty, staff, and administrators.
Planning and Leading
Focused on how the institution achieved its mission and lived its vision through direction setting, goal development, strategic actions, threat mitigation, and capitalizing on opportunities.
Knowledge Management and Resource Stewardship
Addressed management of the fiscal, physical, technological, and information infrastructures designed to provide an environment in which learning can thrive.
Quality Overview
Gave the institution a chance to reflect on all its quality improvement initiatives, how they were integrated, and how well they contributed to the improvement of the institution.