Date

4-2026

ESRP 9000 Professor

Lucas DeWitt, Ed.D.

ESRP 9001 Professor

Lucas DeWitt, Ed.D.

Executive Summary

A Strategic Plan for Implementing Total Quality Management in Higher Education. Fernando Guerrero, 2026: Strategic Research Project, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: total quality management, transformational leadership, continuous improvement, quality assurance, student-focused learning, accreditation

This strategic research project was designed to provide an answer to my research question of whether or not our institution’s mission and vision statements are supported by our accreditation with Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Our institution, Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) depends on our accreditation with ABHES for quality assurance to meet rigorous standards for private, postsecondary education. UMA reports student retention and placement rates to ABHES to maintain its accredited status. ABHES accreditation is specifically for institutions focused on health education programs. The accreditation through ABHES, affirms that UMA’s programs provide quality training for students seeking healthcare careers.

The project utilized a mixed methods methodology. The quantitative tools employed were the Internal Factor Evaluation, External Factor Evaluation, and the Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix to assess strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The Internal Factor Evaluation focused on internal factors, and the External Factor Evaluation focused on external factors, with assigned weights and ratings to calculate a total weighted score to determine strategic positions. The Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix was used to evaluate alternative strategies objectively and determine the most attractive option by using weights, attractiveness scores for each strategy, and total attractiveness scores. The comprehensive literature review provided the qualitative tool in the selection of available solutions and strategies for implementation. Of the three options, total quality management (TQM) was selected as the objective choice along with transformational leadership as the strategic philosophy for implementation.

The final recommendations is for the deployment of an action plan for the purpose of implementing total quality management through a transformational leadership philosophy and approach. The project addresses the preparation through leadership orientation, strategic visioning and forming a quality council. The plan also covers training, pilot, integration, and review. The implementation covers a year-round rollout to define core values, co-create goals, identify barriers through an exploratory survey and define quality indicators. Leaders will inspire motivation and model behavior for TQM adoption to demonstrate TQM process works. Gaining employee empowerment through mentorship and peer coaching, will provide student-centered focus. Finally, sustained excellence will occur through continuous feedback, recognition of process improvements, and benchmarking to guard against complacency.

Document Type

Strategic Research Project-NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education

Concentration

Organizational Leadership

Language

English

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