CITL - Jennifer Thayer: Service Learning

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:

Jennifer Thayer from Austin Peay State University

Name: Jennifer Thayer

Institution: Austin Peay State University

Email: thayerj@apsu.edu

Office Number: 931-221-7683

Degrees earned and institution(s): B.S in Corporate Communications, Austin Peay State University Juris Doctorate, Samford University, Cumberland School of Law Post-Doctoral AACSB Bridge Program, University of Florida, Hough Graduate School of Business

How long have you worked at your institution? 8 years

What is your teaching/research focus area(s)? Principles & intermediate Accounting, Individual and Corporate Income Tax

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

What I appreciate most about the service-learning HIP I have infused into my Tax Practicum course is its transformative impact on my students and the community. The students get to apply their technical knowledge of income tax and soft skills in their interaction with members of the community through their preparation of tax returns at no charge. While this helps reinforce the tax concepts taught, I especially enjoy seeing students’ professional confidence grow while making a meaningful difference in their community.

Jennifer Thayer is your HIP Ambassador for Service Learning

Minimum Definition of Practice-

Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Curriculum includes structured field-based “experiential learning” alongside community partners, which reinforces course learning outcomes. Within the TBR System, credit-bearing service-learning designated courses are incorporated into general education or college core requirements for a degree program.

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