Continuous Improvement and Institutional Performance

Welcome to the Office of Continuous Improvement and Institutional Performance (OCIIP) at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University.

As the Associate Vice President for OCIIP, I have the privilege of leading a team dedicated to turning information into insight and insight into action. Our work is not about checking boxes. It is about building a stronger, smarter, and more student-centered university.

For too long, assessment and institutional effectiveness have been seen as bureaucratic chores — full of templates, jargon, and disconnected tasks. We are changing that. At Embry‑Riddle, continuous improvement is no longer something we do to satisfy external expectations. It is the way we ensure excellence in everything we do. Our goal is simple but bold: to embed a culture of continuous improvement that supports learning, drives innovation, and makes a measurable difference in the lives of our students.

Through our new "Insight to Impact Dialogues," we are replacing static reports with meaningful conversations. These conversations are designed to highlight your work, surface your challenges, and support your growth. We are building a system where faculty, staff, and administrators can talk honestly about what works, what does not, and how to move forward using real evidence.

This work is not about compliance. Of course, we will continue to meet accreditation standards and reporting requirements, but those will be the byproducts of something much more important. We are focused on real student success, operational effectiveness, and alignment with Embry‑Riddle's mission and values. We are using technology, including AI-powered tools, to reduce administrative burden and give you back your time so you can focus on what truly matters.

We know the frustrations that come with traditional assessment systems. Many of you have experienced long hours filling out forms that few people read or struggled with data entry systems that felt more like barriers than solutions. We hear you. That is why we are committed to building something better — something more useful, more intuitive, and more impactful.

Continuous improvement is not a separate initiative. It is how we operate as a university. It is how we teach, how we serve students, and how we make decisions. It is how we ensure that every part of Embry‑Riddle — academic programs, administrative functions, and student support services — works together to achieve our shared mission.

You have an essential role in this transformation. Whether you are a faculty member, an advisor, a department leader, or a member of our operations staff, your insights and contributions are vital. We invite you to engage with us in dialogue, explore the tools we offer, and reflect on the data that can help you strengthen your work.

Welcome to a new era of continuous improvement at Embry‑Riddle. This is your invitation to stop checking boxes and start driving change. Let’s move forward — together.

The Office of Continuous Improvement and Institutional Performance facilitates continuous improvement and quality through systematic, comprehensive, mission-driven, and data-informed planning and evaluation processes.

Within a culture of data-informed decision-making, the Office of Continuous Improvement and Institutional Performance will ensure organizational excellence and the equitable achievement of student learning in furtherment of the vision of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Academic Impact and Success connects evidence of student learning with action to strengthen academic programs and improve student success. Through meaningful assessment, faculty use results and student perspectives to guide teaching, curriculum and resource decisions while aligning programs with the university’s mission. This work builds a shared foundation for continuous improvement, collaboration and demonstrating the value of an Embry-Riddle education.

Academic Program Review brings faculty reflection, evidence and peer feedback together to evaluate program quality, strengthen student learning and guide future direction. Through a structured self-study and review process, programs identify strengths and opportunities, examine their relevance and viability, and develop actionable plans aligned with university priorities. This work informs curriculum and resource decisions while ensuring an Embry-Riddle education prepares students to succeed in a changing world.

Operational Impact and Success helps administrative and student support units set meaningful goals, measure results and use evidence to strengthen services and processes. Through practical tools, guidance and collaboration, units turn findings into improvements, inform resource decisions and demonstrate how their work advances student success and the university’s mission. This work makes continuous improvement part of everyday operations and helps tell the story of each unit’s contribution to Embry-Riddle’s success.

Accreditation demonstrates the quality and effectiveness of an Embry-Riddle education through institutional and specialized review. OCIIP coordinates accreditation activities, supports compliance and reporting, and connects programs and university partners with guidance, evidence and resources throughout the accreditation cycle. This work reinforces accountability and continuous improvement while affirming the university’s commitment to student success.

State Authorizations supports Embry-Riddle’s ability to serve students across the country by coordinating state approvals and licensing requirements for educational offerings at physical locations and online. Through ongoing oversight, guidance and collaboration, the department helps maintain authorization to operate and connects students with state-specific information and complaint procedures. This work supports educational access, institutional accountability, and a fair and academically sound student experience.

The Continuous Improvement Summit and Improvement Imperative webinar series bring higher education colleagues together to turn evidence into action, strengthen student success and build lasting cultures of improvement. The Summit provides a national forum for sharing practical strategies, connecting across institutions and recognizing leadership and achievement. Between Summits, the monthly webinar series keeps the conversation moving with actionable ideas and shared learning.

Our office is proud to be the recipient of several awards recognizing the importance of continuous improvement and measuring institutional effectiveness.

• 2025 Catalyst Award Winner
• 2024 SANsational Award Winner