High-Impact Practices (HIP) classes go to the heart of what it means to learn. Memorization is important, but when students put what they know to work in real-life situations, learning expands exponentially. HIP classes frequently involve students in more one-on-one collaboration with their professors, with their fellow students, and with the greater community—which can improve their entire college experience.
HIPs can include study abroad, working at internships, serving in leadership roles on campus, or conducting independent and group research. These are just a few of the HIPs that students can benefit from. While HIPs are not mandatory, by increasing the number of HIP opportunities and making students aware of the benefits, we are certain that student’s will “Choose to be HIP!” The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) represents a shift from offering an opportunity to engage in HIP activities to an expectation of HIP participation.
Goals of HIP
GOAL 1: Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry
To provide students with intentional opportunities to apply problem based learning to disciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship.
Undergraduate research connects key concepts and questions with students’ early and active involvement in systematic investigation and research. The goal is to involve students with actively contested questions, empirical observation, cutting-edge technologies, and the sense of excitement that comes from working to answer important questions. Students have an opportunity to put their work on display at the annual Piedmont Symposium.
GOAL 2: Global Learning
To provide students with intentional opportunities to engage in mindful exploration of cross cultural differences to provide transformative experiences.
Students engaged in diversity studies are encouraged to mindfully explore the “difficult differences” among groups comprised of various races, ethnicities, religions, genders, and sexual identities; to confront inequality; and to acknowledge and navigate human rights issues both domestically and around the world.
GOAL 3: Leadership & Community Engagement
To provide students with intentional opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to real world issues while reflecting on their identity, self-efficacy, citizenship, social responsibility, and knowledge of their field.
A compassionate leader cultivates abilities and experiences that embrace ethical and social awareness. Leadership is the process of thoughtfully applying these abilities and experiences to the stewardship of the Piedmont University community and beyond.