FROM THE PRESIDENT
Our high-impact practices will ensure our students are self-directed learners, competent graduates prepared to contribute to the local, national and global community.
distinctive and defining characteristics of a UHD education. These practices are not new to UHD. With a large number of transfer students, working students and adult learners, our students have long had opportunities to apply their knowledge in a variety of settings, but these experiences have not always been formalized as part of the curriculum. Our UHD students have participated in service learning, community service, undergraduate research and field experiences. They have interacted with faculty, traveled abroad and attended academic conferences. Now we will bring these opportunities and others like them together as part of our curriculum. A faculty and staff task force is developing a plan to implement these high-impact practices into the UHD experience for all students. To accomplish that, faculty will redesign curricula to ensure that every student participates in multiple high-impact practices, both in face-to-face and online classes. It’s an ambitious undertaking, but research - and our own experience - shows that it will make a significant difference for our students.
Students who are engaged in opportunities to apply their classroom learning in a variety of settings are more successful. High-impact practices enhance learning for all students, but especially for African-American, Hispanic, firstgeneration and transfer students – the students who comprise over 80% of the UHD student population. Implementing high-impact practices will ensure our students are selfdirected learners, competent graduates prepared to contribute to the local, national and global community with the skills and knowledge to be successful in the 21st century.
80%
of UHD students are African-American, Hispanic, first-generation and transfer students. So, take this opportunity to learn more about the experiences we provide today…the commitment we’ve made to House of Tiny Treasures, the opportunities for research in our labs, the accomplishments of our nationally recognized social work student. And, watch us as we expand to offer high-impact opportunities to all of our students. It will make a difference for them – and for the contributions they make to our city and beyond.
Dr. William Flores President Winter 2011
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