{"id":11,"date":"2026-06-18T18:02:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T18:02:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.web.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/quality-initiative\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T07:13:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T11:13:17","slug":"quality-initiative","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Quality Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center fb-columns-page-header is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-global-padding is-content-justification-right is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-951621a4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-xx-large-font-size\">Quality Initiative<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among various criticisms of universities, one stands out: the gap between what we teach and the needs of employers, particularly in programs that lack a sufficient practical, skills-based focus demanded by the modern workforce.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-column-is-layout-5b271542 wp-block-column-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light wp-container-content-958eb9dc\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;min-height:70vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1600\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-58 size-full\" alt=\"A person in a graduation cap and gown stands in front of a city skyline shrouded in fog.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/137\/2026\/06\/UM-Flint-Quality-Initiatives-2048x1600-1.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/137\/2026\/06\/UM-Flint-Quality-Initiatives-2048x1600-1.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/137\/2026\/06\/UM-Flint-Quality-Initiatives-2048x1600-1-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/137\/2026\/06\/UM-Flint-Quality-Initiatives-2048x1600-1-1024x800.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/137\/2026\/06\/UM-Flint-Quality-Initiatives-2048x1600-1-768x600.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/137\/2026\/06\/UM-Flint-Quality-Initiatives-2048x1600-1-1536x1200.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#a8b2ad\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><nav class=\"is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-bd946717 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Sidebar Navigation\" \n\t\t data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M4 7.5h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><path d=\"M4 15h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container\"  id=\"modal-2\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--has-modal-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--is-menu-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\"\n\t\t\t\ttabindex=\"-1\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-close\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-dialog\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"state.ariaModal\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.ariaLabel\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--role=\"state.roleAttribute\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Close menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-close\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.closeMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"m13.06 12 6.47-6.47-1.06-1.06L12 10.94 5.53 4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\"\n\t\t\t id=\"modal-2-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Home<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/faculty-externship\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Faculty Externship<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/career-connected-experiences\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Career-Connected Experiences<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/progress-metrics\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Progress Metrics<\/span><\/a><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null, &quot;previousFocus&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/steering-committee\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Steering Committee<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isSubmenuOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"Steering Committee submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/committee-charge\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Committee Charge<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/data-collection\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Data Collection<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/employer-engagement\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Employer Engagement<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/implementation-timeline\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Implementation Timeline<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/curriculum-to-careers-series\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Curriculum to Careers Series<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">About the Quality Initiative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Higher Learning Commission expects institutions to be continually engaged in quality improvement. Institutions fulfill this expectation by designing and implementing multi-year projects, referred to as Quality Initiative, to pursue strategic objectives and address complex challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Institutional Commitment to Career Alignment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The University of Michigan-Flint has undertaken this challenge to enhance graduates\u2019 labor market outcomes as part of its quality initiative. This has strategic implications for the region\u2019s economy, given that more than 80% of the alumni choose to remain in Michigan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This initiative supports the university\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/\">strategic planning<\/a>&nbsp;by embedding intentional, career-connected learning into academic programs and increasing institutional agility in response to evolving industry and community needs. It integrates intentional, career-aligned learning into academic programs, supports faculty externships, strengthens employer partnerships, and develops new tools for curriculum alignment and responsiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Reporting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The committee will provide annual progress updates to the Provost and senior leadership. A final report and set of recommendations for sustaining the work of the initiative will be submitted at the conclusion of the three-year period. These reports will be posted at this site, along with other documents.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-brand-blue-color has-text-alternate-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-1 is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-2\">Quality Initiative Feedback&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-brand-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">The University of Michigan-Flint is undertaking a multi-year Quality Initiative, as encouraged by the Higher Learning Commission, to strengthen the connection between academic programs and the evolving needs of today\u2019s workforce. This work focuses on embedding career-connected learning into curricula, expanding faculty engagement with industry, enhancing employer partnerships, and developing tools that improve curriculum alignment. Because more than 80% of our graduates remain in Michigan, this initiative directly supports both student success and the region\u2019s economic vitality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-brand-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\">Your feedback will help guide this ongoing improvement effort and ensure our programs prepare students with the skills and experiences employers need.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"fb:w-full fb:font-gotham fb:text-text-primary wp-block-flintblock-google-form\">\n    <form\n        action=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSfoj-r8OiYsnM1R-u60sjSmgQ6jHLkiq9rQlBmE1lUoyVIgMg\/formResponse\"\n        target=\"_self\"\n        id=\"wp-google-form-3\"\n        method=\"POST\"\n        class=\"fb:flex fb:flex-col fb:gap-6\"\n    >\n        \n        \n                    <fieldset class=\"fb:m-0 fb:p-0 fb:border-0\">\n                                    <label class=\"fb:block fb:mb-2 fb:font-gotham fb:font-bold fb:text-blue\" 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fb:font-gotham fb:font-bold fb:transition-colors hover:fb:bg-link-hover focus:fb:outline-none focus:fb:ring-2 focus:fb:ring-maize focus:fb:ring-offset-2\"\n            >\n                Submit            <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quality Initiative Among various criticisms of universities, one stands out: the gap between what we teach and the needs of employers, particularly in programs that lack a sufficient practical, skills-based focus demanded by the modern workforce. About the Quality Initiative The Higher Learning Commission expects institutions to be continually engaged in quality improvement. Institutions fulfill [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":148,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11\/revisions\/148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/quality-initiative\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}