Papers in this collection were prepared for the annual meeting of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. This volume contains papers related to organizational effectiveness and future directions. Chapter 1, "Mission, Planning, and Organizational Change," contains: (1) "Revitalizing Mission: A Collaborative Model" (Stephany Schlacter and Kurt Schackmuth); (2) "Coping with Uncertainty: Five Steps toward Institutional Strength in the Twenty-First Century" (Jon E. Quistgaard, Joann Fredrickson, and Ivan Lee Weir); (3) "Accomplishing Change in a Decentralized Institution: Key Moments in Ohio University's Transition to a Learning-Centric University" (David Descutner and Stephen J. Kopp); (4) "What Changes When Everything Changes: One University's Processes for Unification" (Robert L. Funaro, Nancy McGee, and Jacqueline Taylor); and (5) "Self/Strategic Study Planning: A Unified, User-Friendly Model" (Richard W. Stroede). Chapter 2, "Quality Improvement in Higher Education," contains: (6) "Applying the Baldrige Criteria for Quality Improvement: Focus on Leadership" (Robert A. Sedlack, Julie A. Furst-Bowe, and Claudia Smith); (7) "Putting Total Quality Improvement Management to Work in a University Setting" (Allan M. Hoffman and Mary Pat Wohlford-Wessels); (8) "Planning and Performance: Getting Where You Need To Go Using Key Performance Indicators" (Rich Wagner, Mike White, and Dick Pooley); (9) "Using Dashboards To Navigate Institutional Destinations" (Laurie Adolph, Rassoul Dastmozd, Ron Serpliss, and Gail Spies); (10) "Alternative Road to'Paradise': Growing toward AQIP" (Don Betz, Ed Cunliff, and Donna Guinn); (11)"Completing AQIP's Vital Focus Assessment: What We Learned" (Leonard G. Heldreth and Teresa Kynell); (12) "Restructured Expectations for Two Community Colleges Based on the AQIP Journey" (Robert Callaway, Marcia Ballinger, Jan Donely, and Ron Wright); (13) "Building the University Brand from the Inside-Out: The Higher Learning Commission's Academic Quality Improvement Project (AQIP) and Its Implications" (Lawrence V. Gould, Tonja Vallin, Robert F. Scott, and Chris Crawford); (14) "Implementing AQIP: Engaging the Campus" (Robert McCue, Sheila Stearns, and David Fuller); and (15) "Completing a Five-Year Strategic Plan While Incorporating AQIP" (Laura David and Terry Kuhn). Chapter 3, "Using New Technology To Enhance Student Learning," contains: (16) "Assessment, Accreditation, and the Web: IUPUI's Electronic Institutional Portfolio" (Trudy W. Banta and Susan Kahn); (17) "Digital Institutional and Student Portfolios Demonstrating Success, Achievement, and Reflection" (Neal W. Topp and Sheri Everts Rogers); (18) "Application of the Higher Learning Commission Guidelines for Distance Education and the Institute for Higher Education Policy Benchmarks for Success in Internet-Based Education to a Comprehensive Distance Education Evaluation" (Dawn Voight and Randall Coorough); (19) "Guidelines for Online Learning: A Collaborative Approach" (Michael Wahl, Ronda Edwards, and Garret Brand); (20) "Best Practices for an Online Degree Program" (John Howard); (21) "Creating a Virtual Faculty: Ways To Bring Order to Online Instruction" (Ann Roberts Divine and Anne Wessely); (22) "A Comprehensive Approach to Online Student Services" (Gary Langer and Robert Griggs); (23) "Student Achievement of General Education and Discipline Goals: Online versus On-Campus Students" (John T. Kontoglanes and Cheryl Hughes); and (24) "Distance Learning: An Assessment and Retention Resource" (Eileen Stenzel). Chapter 4, "Effective Learning Environments," contains: (25) "Evaluating Libraries and Other Support Areas: Accomplishing Your Institution's Purposes" (Rachel Applegate); (26) "The Library's Role in Assessing Student Learning" (Jill Gremmels and Claudia Ruediger); (27) "Returning Academics to Center Stage: Benefits of a Campus-Wide Undergraduate Research Day" (Gina E. Lane, Marc A. Cadd, and Nina T. Pollard); (28) "Crossing the Great Divide(s): Implementing, Assessing, and Improving Interdisciplinary Core Curricula" (Charles Taylor, Richard Schur, and Jeanie Allen); (29) "Meeting Generation Next: Today's Postmodern College Student" (Mark L. Taylor); (30) "Providing Positive Institutional Climates for American Indian/Alaska Native Students" (Joseph J. Saggio and Jim Dempsey); (31) "Utilizing Quality Reviews To Reengineer the Delivery of Student Services" (Cynthia D. Armster, Deidra J. Lewis, and Charles Guenerich); and (32) "Utilizing Standardized Assessments in Retention Planning and Quality Improvement by Faculty and Student Development" (Kim Haworth). Many papers contain references. (SLD)