"Welcome to Ridgewater College’s systems portfolio.  Ridgewater was accepted into the AQIP program in November, 2002, and progressed in its journey toward continuous  improvement during a college-wide 'conversation day'  in the spring of 2003 when faculty, staff and administration came together to strategize future action projects for the College. Throughout our journey the focus has remained on the key elements of our mission—to provide accessible and affordable quality learning opportunities in a supportive environment focused on helping all learners succeed in pursuit of their goals.   

Like all journeys, the creation of a culture of continuous improvement has not followed a linear path.  As we continue this journey, negotiating all the various twists and turns that define all human learning experiences, I am confident in the people that form the heart of Ridgewater’s community.  Ultimately it will be these people, and the goal we all share for the success of the learners who come to us, that will continue to move our organization down the path to continuous improvement.  I am proud of that effort and believe this portfolio is evidence that a committed and talented community, focused on a common goal, can transform lives and communities—our own and those we serve."

                          --Dr. Douglas Allen

Ridgewater College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

www.ncahlc.org  312-263-0456

INTRODUCTION TO THE SYSTEMS PORTFOLIO:

This site contains information regarding Ridgewater College's Systems Portfolio project. This electronic portfolio is an overview of Ridgewater College’s activities with regard to the nine key processes of the Academic Quality Improvement Project (AQIP), which is an accreditation program of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of College’s and Schools.

Each section of the document is indicated by the yellow blocks on the left side of this page. As you click on a yellow block, you will see the following four components:  

"CONTEXT" - Clicking on this option will show how Ridgewater College answers specific questions related to the CONTEXT in which the College addresses the issues in that specific AQIP category. 

"PROCESS" - Clicking on this option will show how Ridgewater College answers specific questions related to the PROCESSES that the College uses in its fulfillment of the requirements of that specific AQIP category. 

"RESULTS" - Clicking on this option will show how Ridgewater College answers specific questions related to the RESULTS that were achieved from the College's efforts in that specific AQIP category. 

"IMPROVEMENT" - Clicking on this option will show how Ridgewater College answers specific questions related to the IMPROVEMENTS that the College has made and plans to make in the areas related to that specific AQIP category. 

The electronic portfolio is recognized by the Higher Learning Commission/AQIP as a valid vehicle to display an institution’s accreditation materials. The Higher Learning Commission/AQIP is interested in the Systems Electronic Portfolio Project to determine feasibility for Higher Learning Commission adoption.

For more information on Ridgewater College's involvement in the AQIP program, contact Betty Strehlow, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services, at betty.strehlow@ridgewater.edu

To give input regarding this document, its contents, or its submission to AQIP as part of the accreditation process, contact Heidi Haagenson, Special Projects Coordinator and AQIP Systems Portfolio writer, at heidi.haagenson@ridgewater.edu

For more information on the Academic Quality Improvement Program, visit their website at http://www.aqip.org