GRANTS |
Innovation and Incubator Grants from the University System of Georgia |
High-Impact Practices Faculty Fellows
Project Overview:
The University of North Georgia (UNG) proposes to expand its newly created HIP Faculty Fellows program to further integrate High-Impact Practices (HIPs) across the institution's curriculum and student experience. Faculty Fellows are full-time faculty that receive additional compensation for their work outside of the department, in this case, serving to promote High-Impact Practices across the UNG landscape.
The primary objectives of this project are to:
1. Extend the newly created HIP Faculty Fellows program into the area of First Year Experience (FYE). Currently three positions exist, covering the areas of Capstones, Service-Learning, and Undergraduate Research. UNG is preparing to offer a university-wide FYE course, as suggested by the National Institute for Student Success (NISS), as well as encourage departments to develop their own FYE courses for majors. Dollars from this award would allow us to fund two FYE Faculty Fellow positions to service the varied needs of departments as they develop these courses, as well as continue to fund Fellows in the three existing areas.
2. Provide Fellows with the opportunity to generate new support resources (faculty Toolkits, templates, etc.), working directly with faculty and departments on HIP implementation, and to deliver training workshops for faculty each semester.
3. Strengthen the integration of HIPs across programs of study and within general education at UNG, aligning with the University System of Georgia's (USG) strategic priorities.
The expanded HIP Faculty Fellows program will be structured as follows:
• Each of the five Fellows will receive a stipend in exchange for their dedicated time to focus on promoting best practices in their area of expertise. This breakdown would be a Fellow in each area of Capstones, Service-Learning, Undergraduate Research, and two Fellows in the area of FYE, with an expected need for additional research and support in this area.
• The Fellows will collaborate closely with the Center for Academic Engagement and the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership to provide guidance, resources, and support to faculty across the institution.
• The Fellows will be responsible for developing new faculty Toolkits or updating existing Toolkits, which will include syllabus and assignment templates and other materials to assist faculty in implementing HIPs in their courses and programs.
• Each semester, the Fellows will facilitate a training workshop open to all UNG faculty and teaching staff, covering best practices, challenges, and strategies for integrating HIPs. These workshops will be recorded and remain available as a resource for faculty and staff.
This project aligns closely with UNG's broader efforts to enhance student engagement with High-Impact Practices. Over the past five years, the University has made significant strides in recognizing, documenting, and promoting HIPs, but there is still work to be done to fully integrate these practices across the curriculum and student experience. The expanded HIP Faculty Fellows program will be a key driver in this effort, providing targeted support, resources, and expertise to faculty.
By extending the program into the evolving area of FYE, UNG will be able to reach more students and better prepare them for success through meaningful, engaged learning experiences, which sshow align with USG objectives, based on recommendations of NISS. The Fellows will also play a crucial role in supporting the University's general education reform efforts, helping to embed HIPs within the core curriculum.
Anticipated Challenges and Strategies:
One potential challenge will be securing buy-in and participation from faculty, especially in departments or programs that have not traditionally embraced HIPs. The HIP Faculty Fellows will need to employ effective communication, outreach, and incentive strategies to encourage broader faculty engagement. The HIP Faculty Fellows will reach out to departments that are not coding for HIPs in Banner to help them identify courses that are already using HIPs and to encourage the implementation of additional HIPs. Departments that are or are not implementing HIPs will be identified by means of HIP-coded courses in Banner.
Another challenge may be the development of high-quality, adaptable resources (Toolkits, templates, etc.) that can be easily adopted and implemented by faculty across diverse disciplines. The Fellows will need to work closely with the Centers for Academic Engagement and Teaching, Learning, and Leadership to ensure the materials are user-friendly, practical, and aligned with best practices.
By addressing these anticipated challenges through strategic planning and execution, the University of North Georgia is confident that the expanded HIP Faculty Fellows program will be a highly successful and impactful initiative, contributing to the institution's broader efforts to enhance student success through High-Impact Practices.
Project Description:
The proposed expansion of the University of North Georgia's (UNG) HIP Faculty Fellows program is closely aligned with the institution's strategic goals and the broader priorities of the University System of Georgia (USG). Integrating High-Impact Practices (HIPs) into the student experience is a key component of UNG's academic and student success initiatives, as well as a central focus of the USG's Momentum Approach.
Currently, UNG has made significant progress in recognizing, documenting, and promoting HIPs on campus, but there are still gaps and limitations in the institution's ability to fully integrate these practices across the curriculum and the student experience. The existing HIP Faculty Fellows program, which covers Capstone, Service-Learning, and Undergraduate Research, has been successful in generating resources, supporting faculty, and increasing student engagement. However, there is a clear need to expand the program into the growing area of First Year Experience (FYE) courses, to reach more students and address emerging priorities.
FYE courses are a growing focus at UNG, as the institution seeks to provide all first-year students with a strong foundation for academic and personal success. Integrating HIPs into these foundational courses can have a significant impact on student retention, engagement, and long-term achievement. Expanding the HIP Faculty Fellows program to support the implementation of these practices will directly address current gaps in UNG's HIP integration efforts.
It is estimated that the expanded HIP Faculty Fellows program will directly impact over 5,000 students annually, including those enrolled in FYE courses, Capstone, Service-Learning opportunities, and Undergraduate Research. Additionally, the program will provide support and resources to hundreds of faculty members across the institution, empowering them to more effectively integrate HIPs into their teaching and course design.
The anticipated impact of this project includes:
- Increased student engagement, retention, and success through meaningful, high-impact learning experiences
- Enhanced faculty capacity and confidence in implementing HIPs, supported by robust resources and training
- Stronger integration of HIPs across the curriculum, including in general education and program-specific requirements
- Improved documentation and assessment of HIP participation, contributing to the USG's broader efforts to track and validate these practices
By expanding the HIP Faculty Fellows program, the University of North Georgia will be able to address current limitations, align with institutional and system-wide priorities, and significantly enhance the quality and reach of High-Impact Practices for both students and faculty. This initiative will be a critical component of UNG's ongoing efforts to foster student success and prepare graduates for lifelong learning and career achievement.
The University of North Georgia's proposed expansion of the HIP Faculty Fellows program will be implemented over the course of 12 months, with the following key activities and milestones:
Phase 1: Program Expansion and Planning (Months 1-3)
- Identify and recruit HIP Faculty Fellows including two Fellows in the areas of FYE
- Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations for all five HIP Faculty Fellows
- Convene the Fellows and key stakeholders (Center for Academic Engagement, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership) to develop a comprehensive work plan and timeline to build the adoption and coding of High-Impact Practices
Phase 2: Resource Development and Faculty Engagement (Months 4-9)
- HIP Faculty Fellows collaborate to create or update Toolkits, templates, and other resources to support the implementation of HIPs in FYE courses, Capstone Experiences, Service-Learning, and Undergraduate Research
- Fellows work directly with faculty and departments to provide guidance, training, and support on integrating HIPs into their courses and programs
- Facilitate one faculty training workshop per semester (Fall and Spring) to share best practices, address challenges, and promote broader faculty engagement
Phase 3: Assessment, Evaluation, and Dissemination (Months 10-12)
- Collect and analyze data on faculty participation, student engagement, and the overall impact of the expanded HIP Faculty Fellows program as reported by faculty coding courses in Banner.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the program and identify areas for improvement
- Develop HIP Toolkits in new areas and evaluate existing Toolkits to ensure they contain updated information
Project Outcomes:
The University of North Georgia's proposed expansion of the HIP Faculty Fellows program will be implemented over the course of 12 months, with the following key activities and milestones:
Phase 1: Program Expansion and Planning (Months 1-3)
- Identify and recruit HIP Faculty Fellows including two Fellows in the areas of FYE
- Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations for all five HIP Faculty Fellows
- Convene the Fellows and key stakeholders (Center for Academic Engagement, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership) to develop a comprehensive work plan and timeline to build the adoption and coding of High-Impact Practices
Phase 2: Resource Development and Faculty Engagement (Months 4-9)
- HIP Faculty Fellows collaborate to create or update Toolkits, templates, and other resources to support the implementation of HIPs in FYE courses, Capstone Experiences, Service-Learning, and Undergraduate Research
- Fellows work directly with faculty and departments to provide guidance, training, and support on integrating HIPs into their courses and programs
- Facilitate one faculty training workshop per semester (Fall and Spring) to share best practices, address challenges, and promote broader faculty engagement
Phase 3: Assessment, Evaluation, and Dissemination (Months 10-12)
- Collect and analyze data on faculty participation, student engagement, and the overall impact of the expanded HIP Faculty Fellows program as reported by faculty coding courses in Banner.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the program and identify areas for improvement
- Develop HIP Toolkits in new areas and evaluate existing Toolkits to ensure they contain updated information
The University of North Georgia's proposed expansion of the HIP Faculty Fellows program will be implemented over the course of 12 months, with the following key activities and milestones:
Phase 1: Program Expansion and Planning (Months 1-3)
- Identify and recruit HIP Faculty Fellows including two Fellows in the areas of FYE
- Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations for all five HIP Faculty Fellows
- Convene the Fellows and key stakeholders (Center for Academic Engagement, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership) to develop a comprehensive work plan and timeline to build the adoption and coding of High-Impact Practices
Phase 2: Resource Development and Faculty Engagement (Months 4-9)
- HIP Faculty Fellows collaborate to create or update Toolkits, templates, and other resources to support the implementation of HIPs in FYE courses, Capstone Experiences, Service-Learning, and Undergraduate Research
- Fellows work directly with faculty and departments to provide guidance, training, and support on integrating HIPs into their courses and programs
- Facilitate one faculty training workshop per semester (Fall and Spring) to share best practices, address challenges, and promote broader faculty engagement
Phase 3: Assessment, Evaluation, and Dissemination (Months 10-12)
- Collect and analyze data on faculty participation, student engagement, and the overall impact of the expanded HIP Faculty Fellows program as reported by faculty coding courses in Banner.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the program and identify areas for improvement
- Develop HIP Toolkits in new areas and evaluate existing Toolkits to ensure they contain updated information
