Why is continuous improvement important?

Accreditation Overview, Purpose, Outcomes, Team Structure, Membership and Major Roles

As defined by the Department of Education, the goal of accreditation is to ensure that higher education institutions meet acceptable levels of quality. Lane is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU, )1. Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental, self-regulatory process of quality assurance and institutional improvement. It is a continuous improvement cycle.

Why is continuous improvement important?

The continuous improvement cycle and process of accreditation provide valuable opportunities to: Determine whether or not we are meeting our mission through self-evaluation Revisit what we do well and what needs attention Focus on student learning, student achievement and institutional effectiveness Build shared vision and clear direction Remain eligible to receive federal and other funding for student aid

Mission fulfillment is defined as achieving Lane's Core Themes, which are carried out in alignment with College Values. Core Theme fulfillment is demonstrated through the realization of objectives as measured through indicators. During Fall 2019 this will be updated.

The purpose of Lane's accreditation process and teams is to guide continuous improvement efforts across the college to achieve mission fulfillment. Specific outcomes are to:

1. Align effort with Planning & Institutional Effectiveness 2. Complete and submit reports 3. Prepare for and host NWCCU evaluators 4. Raise awareness of accreditation and continuous improvement

Team Structure

The Accreditation Liaison Officer and Project Manager are responsible for the accreditation program at Lane. A team approach is important, so we developed collaborative groups. Initial members were chosen based on the work that must be done, and the groups are structured around NWCCU Standards, Eligibility Requirements. The small, nimble Coordinating Team works behind the scenes to assure the work is prioritized and supported. The larger Leadership Team provides leadership, secures resources and personnel and helps organize the work in partnership with Coordinating Team. The Work Groups are teams that gather data and evidence that shows we have met our mission.

Team Membership

Who can be involved? Anyone interested. As teams form, we develop capacity and move through time we announce opportunities to engage. Stay tuned, watch for campus communications or see lanecc.edu/accreditation. Below is further information about the teams.

1 See information about Lane's accredited status at:

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Accreditation Overview, Purpose, Outcomes, Team Structure, Membership and Major Roles

Coordinating Team

Membership: Mindie Dieu, Associate Vice President, Student Affairs; Brian Kelly, Accreditation Liaison Officer and Vice President, Planning, Institutional Effectiveness and External Affairs; Jennifer Frei, Associate Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs; Paul Jarrell, Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs; Tammie Stark, Project Manager, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness; Gina Szabady, Technical Writer and Language, Literature and Communications Faculty. Purpose: To coordinate the work required to maintain accredited status and support continuous improvement, mission fulfillment, quality in education, performance and integrity. This work helps us earn the confidence of the educational community and the public. Role: The Coordination Team's role is to communicate with NWCCU personnel, provide high-level oversight, guidance, decision making, barrier removal and resource allocation to meet and maintain accredited status with NWCCU and develop a continuous improvement mindset. Members will attend NWCCU trainings and manage the work at the college level.

Leadership Team

Membership: Coordinating Team plus team leads in areas covered by NWCCU Standards, Eligibility Requirements and Policies including: Mindie Dieu, Zach Evans, Jennifer Frei, Lida Herburger, Paul Jarrell, Phyllis Johnson, Brian Kelly, Grant Matthews, Ellen Osterkamp, Steve Owen, Sara Pittman, Chris Rehn, Brett Rowlett, Tammy Salman, Bill Schuetz, Tammie Stark, Rick Stoddart, Gina Szabady, Cathy Thomas, Shane Turner. Purpose: The purpose of the Leadership Team is to provide support and a functional structure and resources to ensure elements in the work plan are met on time, on budget and at the quality necessary. Team leads are responsible for demonstrating and documenting the College's progress toward meeting NWCCU requirements within their subject areas. Role: The Leadership Team's role is to provide functional leadership, help secure resources and personnel needed to ensure work gets done and organize the work in partnership with the Coordinating Team and develop a continuous improvement mindset. As of Fall 2019, the Leadership Team members are part of Lane's Institutional Effectiveness Committee.

Work Groups

Membership: Work groups include staff, faculty, students and administrators with expertise and interest. Initially, members are chosen by the team leads & additional members may be recruited. Purpose: The purpose of work groups is to perform the day-to-day work that is required as outlined in the work plan and engage in the continuous improvement process. Primarily, this involves gathering data & evidence then reporting the information. Role: Work groups and team leads are responsible for delivering all the necessary data, evidence, written documentation or other materials to show how NWCCU requirements are being addressed and develop a continuous improvement mindset. Work groups perform the necessary day-to-day work to illustrate Lane's commitment to continuous improvement. Interested parties are welcome to participate in the work groups.

For more information, see lanecc.edu/accreditation.

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