Western uses a leadership and performance excellence model that integrates the mission, vision, and values; the strategic goals measured through Key Results; the Malcolm Baldrige Framework for Performance Excellence; and the Higher Learning Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation. The College incorporates cycles of Plan, Do, Check, Adjust (PDCA) as the foundation for performance excellence efforts. Using the Baldrige framework to increase organizational learning has improved Western’s ability to function more effectively as a system. The Key Results are used to track performance relative to strategic goals. This has strengthened Western’s ability to collect, analyze, and share data to make informed decisions. Identifying key college processes related to the achievement of strategic goals has fostered a college-wide awareness of process management.

Western Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Aligning the re-accreditation process with Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and performance excellence efforts has enhanced Western’s ability to develop programs and services designed to help students learn and succeed. Western is committed to ongoing organizational learning and improvement to meet the evolving needs of all students. A number of Western’s academic programs also hold accreditations from national professional organizations.

What does it mean to be an accredited college?

• Quality: Accreditation means that a college meets standards of quality for administration, faculty, curriculum, library, financial management, and student services.
• Financial Aid: Students can only obtain federal financial assistance if their college has appropriate accreditation from an organization recognized by the United States Department of Education.
• Transfer Credits: If students want to transfer college credits to continue their education, accreditation is an important factor when a college is deciding whether to accept transfer credits from the student’s previous school.