The Systems Portfolio is a comprehensive document presenting an overview of the institution, and answers explicitly all of the questions under each of the nine AQIP Categories. There are approximately 165 questions; each category has a processes, results, and improvements section. AQIP asks all participating institutions to provide a Systems Portfolio Index, identifying sections of the Portfolio showing evidence that the Higher Learning Commission’s (HLC) Five Criteria for Accreditation are met.

HELPING STUDENTS LEARN focuses on the design, deployment, and effectiveness of teaching-learning processes that underlie your organization’s credit and non-credit programs and courses, and on the processes required to support them.

ACCOMPLISHING OTHER DISTINCTIVE OBJECTIVES addresses the key processes (separate from your instructional programs and internal support services) through which you serve your external stakeholders — the processes that contribute to achieving your major objectives, fulfilling your mission, and distinguishing yours from other educational organizations.

UNDERSTANDING STUDENTS’ AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS’ NEEDS examines how your organization works actively to understand student and other stakeholder needs.

VALUING PEOPLE explores your organization’s commitment to the development of your faculty, staff, and administrators.

LEADING AND COMMUNICATING addresses how your leadership and communication processes, structures, and networks guide your organization in setting directions, making decisions, seeking future opportunities, and communicating decisions and actions to your internal and external stakeholders.

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONAL OPERATIONS addresses the organizational support processes that help to provide an environment in which learning can thrive.

MEASURING EFFECTIVENESS examines how your organization collects, analyzes, distributes, and uses data, information, and knowledge to manage itself and to drive performance improvement.

PLANNING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT examines your organization’s planning processes and how your strategies and action plans help you achieve your mission and vision.

BUILDING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS examines your organization’s relationships – current and potential – to analyze how they contribute to the organization’s accomplishing its mission.