Introduction

We’ve all seen Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) or Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) that sound inspiring… but leave faculty, students, and accreditors scratching their heads. “Students will demonstrate leadership.” Lovely sentiment, but what does that mean in practice? Writing strong outcomes is an art and a science. This week, we’ll explore frameworks like Bloom’s Taxonomy and Fink’s Significant Learning framework, along with how Large Language Models (LLMs) can serve as editors, spot weaknesses, and suggest refinements. Strong outcomes don’t just live on paper—they drive teaching, learning, and student success.

High-Impact Practices (HIPs) are often described as the “secret sauce” of higher education—engaging assignments, applied learning, and meaningful reflection. But let’s be real: just because something is called a HIP doesn’t mean it automatically delivers deep learning. When done well, HIPs are structured, equitable, and measurable. This week, we’ll look at how to design HIPs that not only sparkle in theory but also actually move the needle on student success.

High-Impact Practices (HIPs) are the triple-shot espresso of higher education—powerful jolts that fuel learning, engagement, and retention. But they only live up to the hype when they’re thoughtfully designed and broadly accessible. This week, we’re kicking off a new cycle by exploring innovative ways to weave global experiences, undergraduate research, and service-learning into programs that energize students and faculty.

High-Impact Practices (HIPs) are more than just buzzwords—they’re powerful pedagogical tools that, when designed and implemented well, can transform student learning and success. But what does “done well” really mean? This week, we explore actionable design tips, quality measures, and how predictive models and AI (including LLMs) can help us understand and enhance their impact. Whether you’re just starting or refining your HIPs strategy, this post offers practical insights for every level.

High-Impact Practices (HIPs) are the triple-shot espresso of higher education—powerful jolts that fuel learning, engagement, and retention. But they only live up to the hype when they’re thoughtfully designed and broadly accessible. This week, we’re kicking off a new cycle by exploring innovative ways to weave global experiences, undergraduate research, and service-learning into programs that energize students and faculty.

Surveys are the bread and butter of higher ed assessment—until they aren’t. When students and faculty eye-roll at yet another link in their inbox, response rates plummet, and data quality nosedives. This week, we’ll explore how to design surveys that are valid, reliable, and actually worth answering—capturing the pulse of engagement, belonging, and satisfaction without causing survey fatigue.

Student success isn’t just about keeping seats filled—it’s about helping learners thrive academically, socially, and personally. Retention is one of the most visible (and scrutinized) measures of institutional health, but strategies often fail because they’re scattershot. This week, let’s explore evidence-based, customized strategies that support students where they are—so they persist, graduate, and succeed beyond campus.

Writing Program and Course Learning Outcomes (PLOs & CLOs) is a bit like writing New Year’s resolutions—everyone starts with good intentions, but half end up vague, unmeasurable, and quietly forgotten. The good news? Today’s AI tools can help us sharpen those outcomes into clear, measurable, and aligned statements that actually guide teaching and assessment. Let’s explore how to move from fuzzy goals to SMART outcomes that stick.

High‑Impact Practices (HIPs) shine—undergraduate research, service‑learning, global projects, first‑year seminars. But sparkle isn’t evidence. The magic happens when design, equity, and assessment lock arms. This week, we’ll turn HIPs from “nice” to necessary, showing how to evaluate quality and connect participation to real student success—retention, learning, and belonging—without drowning your team in rubrics.