CITL - Emily Naff: Study Abroad

Meet Your 2025 High Impact Practices (HIPs) Ambassadors

A high impact practice is a pedagogical approach which requires an investment of time and energy over an extended period that has unusually positive effects on student engagement in educationally purposeful behavior (Kuh, 2010). High impact practices are evidence-based teaching and learning practices that have been widely tested and shown to be beneficial for college students (Kuh, 2008).

Characteristics of high-impact activities include: setting appropriately high expectations of students; interaction with faculty and peers about substantive matters; experiences with diversity; frequent feedback; reflection and integrative learning; real-world applications; and demonstrated competence.

Meet Your 2025 HIP Ambassadors:

Emily Naff from Nashville State Community College

Name: Emily Naff

Institution: Nashville State Community College

Email: emily.naff@nscc.edu

Office Number: 615-353-3079

Degrees earned and institution(s): : Bachelor of University Studies, MTSU

How long have you worked at your institution? since 2005

What is your teaching/research focus area(s)? Photography

What do you appreciate most about the HIP(s) that you have infused into the courses you teach?

Personal growth happens at an exponential rate for many students when participating in study abroad. For many of our students, this experience includes many firsts (first time on a plane, first time out of country, first time leaving their family for an extended period of time, first time being in a country where English is not the primary language) and that can be scary. By being offered an opportunity to travel with trusted professors, they have been able to take the leap and fulfill major life goals. I’ve watched students gain a greater sense of self confidence, better communication skills and wider perspectives during the study abroad experience. The term “life changing” may sound cliche’ but it is the phrase most often used by students to describe their experiences.

Emily Naff is your HIP Ambassador for Study Abroad

Minimum Definition of Practice-

Study abroad is a credit-bearing experience incorporated into general education or college core requirements for a certificate/degree program. Curriculum includes field-based “experiential learning” in locations outside the U.S. with an emphasis on inter-cultural understanding and communication. Students apply what they are learning in a real-world setting and reflect on their experiences abroad as part of the course requirements.

More information here (scroll down and click on to expand the topic.)

Getting Started with HIPs

A high impact practice is a pedagogical approach which requires an investment of time and energy over an extended period that has unusually positive effects on student engagement in educationally purposeful behavior (Kuh, 2010). High impact practices are evidence-based teaching and learning practices that have been widely tested and shown to be beneficial for college students (Kuh, 2008). Characteristics of high-impact activities include: setting appropriately high expectations of students; interaction with faculty and peers about substantive matters; experiences with diversity; frequent feedback; reflection and integrative learning; real-world applications; and demonstrated competence.

Want to learn more?

You can request that Dr. Heidi Leming come and present at your campus for in-service or other even.
View "Work Smarter, Not Harder: Simplifying HIPs" presentation (47 minutes)
Join the Email List