Lyman Briggs College has long been a hub for teaching innovation, where faculty are focused on helping students grow, succeed, and thrive. A central way we do this is through High-Impact Practices (HIPs). HIPs, identified and advanced by the Association of American Colleges & Universities, are active learning practices that promote deep learning through student engagement. HIPs are intentionally designed. Students spend significant time on meaningful work. They collaborate with peers and faculty. They receive frequent feedback and build reflective practices. And they connect their learning to real-world questions and challenges. Examples include learning communities, global learning, internships, service-learning, and capstone projects.
In 2024, MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., announced strategic initiatives to bolster the university and focus its efforts for broader impact. One of the initiatives, modernizing the general education curriculum with high-impact and best practices, has the aim of attracting talented students from all backgrounds and preparing them for a rapidly changing world and workplace through meaningful, high‑quality learning experiences.
HIPs have powerful results. Research shows that students who participate in them are more likely to stay in college, earn higher grades, and graduate sooner. They also build strong skills in critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving—skills that employers value. When universities ensure broad access to these experiences, HIPs can help close equity gaps by providing structured, supportive opportunities that help first-generation students and others who have not always had equitable access to higher education succeed.
