Continuous Quality Improvement in Higher Education

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There is great variation among higher education institutions, and a wide range of approaches to Continuous Improvement. Dew and Nearing acknowledge that the mistaken impression may exist that there is not a defined body of knowledge from which higher education leaders can draw when designing a journey toward excellence in the context of any specific institution. The authors have found a solid body of knowledge that will add value to leaders in any of these various settings. Continuous improvement is so important for leaders in higher education today because they find it now being embedded in the re-accreditation process for many accrediting associations. This book will give background by providing historical perspective on pioneering institutions in Continuous Improvement. Additionally, it offers insights on how to obtain stakeholder feedback through surveys and focus groups. Dew and Nearing address the issue of strategic planning from a CI perspective and include concepts to improve academic programs. They also fulfill their goal of bringing structure to the chaotic issue of measurement and feedback in the higher education setting. Continuous improvement is so important for leaders in higher education today because they find it now being embedded in the re-accreditation process for many accrediting associations. This book will give background by providing historical perspective on pioneering institutions in Continuous Improvement. Additionally, it offers insights on how to obtain stakeholder feedback through surveys and focus groups. Dew and Nearing address the issue of strategic planning from a CI perspective and include concepts to improve academic programs. They also fulfill their goal of bringing structure to the chaotic issue of measurement and feedback in the higher education setting.

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This book provides a framework for understanding and applying Continuous Improvement (CI) theory to higher education. -- Higher Education Abstracts

Author Bio

JOHN ROBERT DEW is Director for Continuous Quality Improvement at the University of Alabama, responsible for strategic planning, performance measurement, and process improvement activities across the campus. He is also a member of the graduate school faulty in engineering and business. Dew was formerly Manager for Mission Success at Lockheed Martin Corporation, responsible for management quality improvement initiative and strategic planning activities at the U.S. Department of Energy nuclear facility.::Nearing /f Molly /i McGowan /b MOLLY MCGOWAN NEARING is Senior Quality Facilitator at the Center for Quality at the State University of New York, Binghamton. She is a charter member of the National Consortium for Continuous Improvement in Higher Education (NCCI) and has served on NCCI's National Conference Planning Committee, the Learning Systems Committee, and currently is the NCCI Program Chair.