This collection presents 92 papers or summaries of papers presented at a 2000 conference on self-study and institutional improvement for institutions of higher education. Papers are grouped into these chapters, with some sample topics in parentheses: (1) "Regional and National Initiatives" (associate degrees; adult learning); (2) "Quality Improvement and Accreditation" (recruitment and retention; quality criteria); (3) "Quest for Quality: Mission and Planning" (mission statements; renewal processes); (4) "Assessment of Student Academic Achievement: Case Studies" (5) "Assessment of Student Academic Achievement: Tools of Assessment" (assessment techniques; performance assessment); (6) "Question for Quality in Student Learning: General Education" (interdisciplinary approaches; improvement processes); (7) "Quest for Quality: Teaching" (educational practices; reflective teaching); (8) "Quest for Quality: Institutional Integrity" (ethics; diversity); (9) "Quest for Quality: Distance Learning" (technology; partnerships); (10) "Question for Quality: Self-Study and Institutional Improvement" (self-evaluation); (11)"Coordinating the Self-Study Process" (study implementation; methodology); (12) "Practical Advice on Self-Study" (models; tools); and (13) "Seeking Initial Affiliation with the Commission" (candidacy; accreditation). Most papers contain references. (SLD)