Quality and Performance Excellence in Higher Education: Baldrige on Campus

American higher education is currently facing many serious challenges, from providing access to a growing number of students, to keeping college affordable, to the effective deployment of technology in teaching to fostering economic growth and workforce development. In Quality and Performance Excellence in Higher Education, the authors adopt the Malcolm Baldrige education criteria for performance excellence to identify key elements in practicing continuous quality improvement in higher education: open communication channels, honest self-assessment, effective leadership, employee development, and the appropriate allocation of resources.

Investment in higher education plays a crucial role in the future prosperity of America. To illustrate this point, the authors present case studies from six diverse institutions that embody the core values and concepts of the Baldrige framework:

• Leadership from senior institutional leaders
• Strategic planning to meet key objectives
• Focus on the students, stakeholders, and market
• Measurement, analysis, and knowledge management
• Faculty and staff performance as a result of institutional support and training
• Process management in support of the learning environment
• Organizational performance results

This book will appeal to academic administrators at all levels and at all types of institutions who are interested in applying a systematic approach to leadership, quality improvement, and change management within their institutions.

Charles W. Sorenson is chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout). Before his appointment in 1988, he served as a member of the faculty and dean of the College of Arts and Science at Grand Valley State University and as academic vice president at Winona State University. He has been a strong advocate of partnership with the private sector and building alliances with K-12 schools. Under his leadership, UW-Stout developed a technology park and an award-winning technology transfer program. He has served on statewide committees and a blue ribbon commission on the future of the state’s economy. Dr. Sorensen has been a strong advocate for distance education, developing a digital campus at UW-Stout, private fundraising, and using quality tools in an educational environment. He earned a B.A. from Augustana College, and M.S. from Illinois State University, and Ph.D. (history) from Michigan State University.

Julie A. Furst-Bowe has been in the field of higher education for nearly 20 years. She has been at the University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout) since 1990, and has served as a faculty member, graduate program director, department chair, and associate vice chancellor for academic and student affairs prior to assuming her current position in 2003. She has been extensively involved with Baldrige effort at UW-Stout, and serves as an examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige national Quality Award program and as a facilitator for the Academic Quality Improvement Program. She has presented nationally and internationally on quality improvement in higher education, and has consulted with numerous institutions. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Forward Award and as a judge for the Minnesota state quality awards program. She holds a doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in instructional technology.

Diane M. Moen is vice chancellor of administrative and student life services at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1978 and has held several positions including budget analysts, controller, and assistant chancellor. She is active in professional organizations, including the Central Association of College and University Business officers, and also serves as an executive council member for the national Consortium for Continuous Improvement in Higher Education. She received a B.S. in business administration and an M.B.A from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.