American higher education is currently facing many serious challenges, from providing access to a growing number of students, to keeping college affordable, to the effective deployment of technology in teaching to fostering economic growth and workforce development. In Quality and Performance Excellence in Higher Education , the authors adopt the Malcolm Baldrige education criteria for performance excellence to identify key elements in practicing continuous quality improvement in higher education: open communication channels, honest self-assessment, effective leadership, employee development, and the appropriate allocation of resources. Investment in higher education plays a crucial role in the future prosperity of America. To illustrate this point, the authors present case studies from six diverse institutions that embody the core values and concepts of the Baldrige framework: Leadership from senior institutional leaders Strategic planning to meet key objectives Focus on the students, stakeholders, and market Measurement, analysis, and knowledge management Faculty and staff performance as a result of institutional support and training Process management in support of the learning environment Organizational performance results This book will appeal to academic administrators at all levels and at all types of institutions who are interested in applying a systematic approach to leadership, quality improvement, and change management within their institutions.