Transforming Teaching: Best Practices in Christian Higher Ed

Since 2020, Abilene Christian University has hosted the biennial Best Practices in Christian Higher Ed Conference and Research Seminar to focus on student success by developing, implementing, and assessing high-impact practices and connecting those practices to the unique context of Christian higher ed.

The 2026 conference, “Transforming Teaching: Best Practices in Christian Higher Ed,” invites faculty and staff to engage in keynotes and presentations that explore the relationship between High-Impact Practices and Christian higher education.

The conference offers a platform for attendees to network, exchange insights and research findings, contemplate the distinctive qualities of Christian education, and come together in worship.

Call for Papers (CFP) is now open.

Meet the 2026 Conference Keynote Speakers

Peter Felten

Peter Felten is professor of history, executive director of the Center for Engaged Learning, and assistant provost for teaching and learning at Elon University, US. He has published seven books about undergraduate education, including Connections are Everything: A College Student’s Guide to Relationship-Rich Education (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2023) co-authored by Isis Artze-Vega, Leo Lambert, and Oscar Miranda Tapia – with an open access online version free to all readers. His next book, The SoTL Guide: (Re)Orienting the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, is co-authored by Katarina Mårtensson and Nancy Chick, and will be published (open access) in October 2025. He is on the advisory board of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and is a fellow of the Gardner Institute.

Laura Carroll

Dr. Laura Carroll is the Assistant Provost for Teaching, Learning and Vocational Formation at Abilene Christian University. As the director of the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning and a faculty member in the Department of Language and Literature, Dr. Carroll values and centers student voices in the learning and knowledge creation process.

Dr. Carroll and the Adams Center team have committed to elevating student contributions to faculty development through student presentations to faculty, a student advisory board, and pedagogical partnerships.

Chris Cobbler

Dr. Christopher Wilberforce Cobbler Sr. was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and currently lives in the Metro Detroit area with his wife Kahra-lyn and their three children Hannah, Christopher Jr., and Elijah. He has a wide variety of academic and congregational experience in the field of spiritual and vocational formation.

His journey of faith was deeply shaped by the vivid Spirit-driven passion of his Pentecostal background and the high view of Scripture he shares with the Church of Christ heritage. He has served as a minister in Churches of Christ, Christian Churches, and non-denominational churches in Canada and the United States.

Dr. Cobbler has graduated from Alberta Bible College, Rochester University and Lipscomb University and has over fifteen years of pastoral experience. Dr. Cobbler is currently the Vice President of Vocational Formation and Flourishing and Executive Director of the Center for Vocational Formation at Abilene Christian University, Dallas Campus. His greatest passion is to see Christian communities become a sign, instrument, and foretaste of the kingdom of God.

Research Seminar Series

ACU also hosts cohorts of Christian faculty and staff for the purpose of investigating creative and innovative evidence-based practices to enhance the learning experiences of students across the nation. Special emphasis is placed on examining the relationship between high-impact practices and the distinct aims of Christian higher education.

Each cohort focuses on a specific high-impact practice. The research cohort is formed at the conference and begins a two-year research project that culminates in their presentation at the next biennial conference, as well as the inclusion of their research in a special theme publication by ACU Press.

The proceedings of the 2024 conference are currently being edited and will be available on Amazon and through ACU Press in Fall 2026.

BPCHE Research Seminar

Key Conference Details

Call for Papers

Call for Papers (CFP) is now open. Find more information here.

Registration

Conference registration opens January 15, 2026.

Lodging

Hotel offering a special group rate:

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Abilene for $299.00 – $309.00 per night

Start Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026

End Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Last Day to Book: Monday, July 27, 2026

Room type is either a King Suite for $299 per night or a double Queen Suite $309 per night plus applicable taxes. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy. You must have a valid credit card to book and hold the room for the special rate.

Book your group rate for ACU Best Practices 2026

Coming to Abilene

The Abilene Christian University campus is located just 5 miles from the Abilene airport and only 175 miles from the DFW airport. Numerous rental car agencies operate out of the Abilene airport for your convenience.

We look forward to hosting you on our campus! Discover more about our university through the links below.