Two U.S. organizations will receive the 2025 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s only presidential honor recognizing performance excellence. The award, based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework and administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, highlights organizations that focus on organizational resilience and demonstrate strong, systematic approaches to achieving and sustaining high performance. Nor Lea Hospital…
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Our Board of Examiners
Below are the names of the individuals who sacrificed time and family to review and provide helpful feedback to the organizations that submitted an application for the Senate Productivity and Quality Award. These persons comprise the esteemed membership of our Board of Examiners. We post their names here in recognition of the significant investment in…
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Fall Baldrige Confernece
Set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans, Louisiana, the 2026 Baldrige Conference will take place from October 12-13, 2026, under the theme “The Rhythm of Excellence.” Co-hosted by The Alliance for Performance Excellence and Communities of Resilience & Excellence, this two-day event is the premier gathering for leaders and professionals committed to building high-performing…
Read More2026 Baldrige Excellence Framework®
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 13, 2026 — The Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, known as the Baldrige Foundation, today released the 2026 Baldrige Excellence Framework® for Business, Nonprofit, and Government organizations. The new edition, developed in close partnership with and under the oversight of the Baldrige Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology…
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James Scheurer
Jim Scheurer grew up in Philadelphia where he studied at Drexel University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a dual major in Management Information Systems and Operations Management. Jim went on to work for AT&T, SAIC, the United States Post Office (earned a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt), and Northrop Grumman performing…
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Value of the Organizational Profile
Kim Humphrey, SPQA Vice-Chair Strategy In today’s rapidly changing environment, organizations face increasing pressure to improve performance, engage their workforce, satisfy customers, and remain competitive. While many leaders search for the next tool or methodology, one of the most valuable resources for achieving organizational excellence is already embedded within the Baldrige Excellence Framework: the Organizational…
Read MoreOrganizational Resilience and the Future of Higher Education
Jan Garfield, PhD, CQE Throughout my career in higher education, accreditation, organizational transformation, and performance excellence, I have observed that institutions are sustained by dedicated people, an unwavering focus on mission, and a commitment to serving students and communities. Their long-term success depends upon organizational systems, strategic discipline, and the capacity to adapt while remaining…
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SPQA Chair Letter
The power of public data for results benchmarks. Baldrige scoring guidelines for category 7 results, at the highest range, expects the demonstration of “industry and benchmark leadership.” The Framework’s glossary states that organizations engage in benchmarking to understand the current dimensions of world class leadership. Many organizations struggle with understanding and developing relevant benchmarks to…
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Jan Garfield, PhD
Janice K. Garfield, PhD, CQE. Dr. Jan Garfield is a nationally respected higher-education strategist, Baldrige master examiner, and senior academic leader with a distinguished career spanning faculty, dean, and provost roles. She has guided universities through academic renewal, accreditation transitions, and mission-centered transformation. Through her consulting practice, Prometheus Higher Education Engineers, Jan advances institutional foresight,…
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Baldrige Advanced Training
Advancing Performance Excellence In this follow-up to the Introduction course, SPQA offers experience-based learning to apply key performance excellence principles. The program is focused on the systems thinking value of the Baldrige Framework and how this creates a differentiation with other improvement models. Content focuses on the learning, integration, and relevance dimensions of organizational maturity…
Read MoreBaldrige Basics Training
Foundations of Performance Excellence In this Introductory course, SPQA offers an opportunity for individuals and organizations to learn the foundations of performance excellence. The program is based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework. The Excellence Framework is a national model for organizational performance improvement. Through questions, the Framework guides organizations to a systemic and integrated perspective of…
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