Beyond accreditation: using institutional data to identify areas for college-level improvement

Accreditation self-studies is a necessary activity for the modern North American university. In recent years, accrediting bodies have placed greater emphasis on institutional planning and assessment. The continuously improving institution does not see such self studies as ends in themselves; rather, as another source of data in service of the goal of continuous improvement. This paper describes the recent self-study accreditation experience at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez and its impact on continuous improvement assessment and planning in the College of Engineering. The results of campus-wide surveys are presented, as well as the recommendations to address areas of improvement and information needs revealed by the survey data for the College of Engineering. Lessons learned are summarized, particularly in relation to linking the institutional accreditation experience with the engineering program accreditation process.