What is QEP

The QEP has been one of the integral components of CNU’s reaffirmation of accreditation process through our accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). A QEP serves as a way for our accreditors to ensure that we continue to grow our commitment to enhancing our quality and effectiveness in the realm of student learning and/or success.

In October, 2025, CNU was notified that SACSCOC has – at least for the time being – changed its requirement for institutions in our cohort to submit a QEP. We can still submit a QEP and receive feedback from SACSCOC on our plan, but we will not be judged on it for our reaffirmation of accreditation.

We have chosen to continue with our QEP process for several reasons:

1. the topic of AI Literacy is essential for our students and campus community;
2. the QEP process is still part of the SACSCOC guidelines, and while they have removed formal evaluation of the QEP, we can still benefit from their productive feedback with no associated risk;
3. given that we don't know what SACSCOC will do in the future, and given that they have not entirely abandoned the QEP, it is wise to keep with our process.

A QEP must be focused within the bounds of improving specific student learning outcomes and/or student success. These areas are defined broadly by SACSCOC, but our focus must be targeted within those areas.

A QEP has 5 key elements:

1. Topic identified through our ongoing, comprehensive planning and evaluation processes
   • This means we examine institutional data to determine what we already do well, and where there are gaps; it also means we consider the overarching direction of CNU, such as the Strategic Compass, and our liberal arts mission.
2. Broad-based support of institutional constituencies (stakeholders)
   • This means the QEP involves a collaborative process that spans stakeholders within the campus community, and focuses on a topic that is deemed worthy by a sizeable majority of stakeholders.
3. Focuses on improving specific student learning outcomes and/or student successes
4. Resources committed to initiate, implement, and complete the QEP
5. Includes a plan to assess achievement of identified goals and objectives