Research Seminar Series

Best Practices in Christian Higher Ed

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About the Seminar

Abilene Christian University is in partnership with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities hosting a research seminar series investigating the benefits of high-impact practices in Christian higher education. Each cohort of High-Impact Scholars meets for two intensive workshops to focus on a specific practice (e.g., first-year experience, service learning, study abroad, etc.) and examines the impact and implementation in Christian higher education. After the three-day workshops, participants will engage in research at their respective institutions the following year.

High-impact scholars will have the unique opportunity to learn from ACU’s national leadership in high-impact practices and collaborate with faculty and staff from various institutions across the nation to produce work that will be a significant contribution to the scholarship of Christian higher education.

Findings and institutional practices are showcased at the biennial Best Practices in Christian Higher Education national conference hosted by ACU. This is done through conference presentations highlighting their research. Additionally, scholars have the opportunity to submit their work for consideration in a special conference-themed issue of the Christian Higher Education Journal.

These cohorts of Christian faculty and staff investigating creative and innovative evidence-based practices will enhance the learning experiences of students across the nation.

Applications will open February 1.

2026-2028 Research Seminar

Cohort members will investigate best practices and engage in research related to internships and applied learning in the context of Christian higher education.

Call for Proposals: Research Seminar CFPs will open on February 1, 2026.

A teacher walking and talking with two students.

What to Expect

  • Participants (High Impact Scholars) and institutions will collaborate to address common issues as well as focus on contexts specific to their home campuses.
  • The first workshop (September 30-October 2, 2026, in Abilene) for the 2026-2028 cohort will review the landscape of Christian higher ed, consider the importance of internships and applied learning in higher education, formulate key questions, consider participants’ institutional contexts, and begin to develop research questions and methodologies.
  • The second workshop (online, June 2027) will focus on research design and connecting each project to larger themes in Christian higher education.
  • In addition to workshops, scholars will meet for two online check-ins during the second year of the seminar.
  • High-Impact Scholars will present their findings at the Best Practices in Christian Higher Ed conference held in Abilene in Fall 2028.

Topics for 2026-2028 Research Seminar

Cohort members might research these topics related to internships and applied learning:

  • Defining internships within different academic contexts
  • Increasing participation in internships
  • Creating internship opportunities in the liberal arts
  • Ensuring representation from diverse, first gen, low SES, and international students, specifically initiatives aimed at increasing parity of opportunity
  • Connecting internships to other high-impact practices
  • Internship compensation packages
  • International internship opportunities, challenges, and threats
  • Assessing intercultural competency
  • Impact on retention

Upon acceptance into the program, each participant will be named a High-Impact Scholar. More than one person per institution is eligible to apply.