High-impact practices (HIPs) are vital for university faculty as they promote transformative learning experiences, enriching both students and educators. These practices, such as undergraduate research, internships, service learning, and collaborative projects, foster active engagement and critical thinking. Faculty members benefit by witnessing students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts, enhancing their own pedagogical approaches.
HIPs cultivate strong faculty-student relationships, nurturing mentorship opportunities that empower educators to guide students' intellectual growth. Faculty engagement in HIPs often leads to innovative teaching strategies, enhancing instructors' professional development and enriching their teaching portfolios. These practices also facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering a vibrant academic community and encouraging diverse perspectives.
By incorporating HIPs, faculty contribute to the institution's academic reputation and student success. HIP involvement can lead to research partnerships, grants, and publications, elevating the institution's profile. Moreover, witnessing students' personal and academic growth through HIPs is professionally rewarding for faculty, reinforcing their commitment to education. Ultimately, high-impact practices inspire transformative learning, invigorate teaching methodologies, and establish a dynamic learning environment that benefits both faculty and students alike.
AAC & U Institute on High Impact Practices
The Institute on High-Impact Practices and Student Success is designed to strengthen and to build institutional capacity to achieve equity-centered, quality, and student engagement goals through the design, implementation, and assessment of high-impact practices. More information about the institute.
The National Conference on Undergraduate Research
The National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity in all fields of study by sponsoring an annual conference for students. More information about the 2024 conference.
The Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship
(JCES) is a peer-reviewed international journal through which faculty, staff, students, and community partners disseminate scholarly works. JCES integrates teaching, research, and community engagement in all disciplines, addressing critical problems identified through a community-participatory process. See the journal here.