Best Practices
in Christian Higher Ed

Conference and Research Seminar Series

In partnership with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
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In partnership with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities

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High-Impact Practices

Abilene Christian University is partnering with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities to host a series of two-year, cohort-based research seminars examining critical features of student success with a special emphasis on developing, implementing and assessing high-impact practices.

The work produced through the seminars, plus submissions from a broader call, will be presented at a biennial conference hosted at ACU. Additionally, Christian Higher Education journal will produce a special issue featuring the most relevant papers from the cohort and conference.

To learn more about high-impact best practices, visit the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) website at the button below.

AAC&U

Bible building rotunda

Conference

The theme for the 2022 conference was “Cultivating Engaged Learners Through First-Year Experiences.” Keynote addresses and presentations from the first cohort of High-Impact Scholars focused on this theme. Other presentations covered various other high-impact practices in the context of Christian higher education. Be sure to visit the conference page at the button below to learn more about what was offered at the 2022 conference and to follow updates as we prepare for our 2024 conference.

BPCHE Conference page
Campus view with beautiful sunset

Research Seminar Series

ACU is also hosting 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 will be placed on examining the relationship between high-impact practices and the distinct aims of Christian higher education.

Each cohort will focus on a specific high-impact practice. The first seminar cohort has completed their research on first-year experience. The second seminar is set to begin in September 2022 with a focus on global learning and study abroad.

BPCHE Research Seminars

The ACU Effect

As a nationally ranked university in student success, ACU is uniquely positioned to lead conversations around best practices in Christian higher education. For the third year in a row, ACU is the highest-ranking university in Texas in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report benchmark focused on programs that lead to student success. ACU achieved top 10 status in three of eight areas of emphasis – #7 in First-Year Experience, #9 in Service Learning, #9 in Learning Communities – and was ranked #43 in Undergraduate Research.

About ACU
Sunrise at Jacobs Ladder

Coming to Abilene

ACU 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.

For lodging and amenities, please visit the Abilene Visitors Center at the link below. Many visitors to ACU choose to stay at the  Courtyard Marriott and the TownePlace Suites, both nearby the ACU campus.

When you arrive on campus, stop by the Hunter Welcome Center for information about the university, to set up a tour and to get recommendations for things to see and do while you are here. While in town, we hope you will explore the many distinguishing features of our campus and historic Abilene.

About Abilene, TX