At Iowa State, our number one strategic priority is to ensure that students receive an exceptional education. To ensure we achieve that goal, the University sponsors a number of initiatives to help students successfully transition to campus life, engage in their education, and ultimately increase persistence, retention and graduation rates.
High Impact Practices and Student Success Initiatives
High Impact Practices
A high impact practice (HIP) is an educational practice that meets several of the quality standards defined in the HIP infographic below. At Iowa State students participate in a variety of HIPs that support their academic and career goals, and their engagement with HIPs is a valued component of the Iowa State University experience.
The Iowa State strategic plan has a goal that all graduates will be engaged in at least three High Impact Practices prior to graduation. As highlighted in the 2023 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) High Impact Practices Report (PDF), Iowa State University first-year students and seniors participate in high impact practices at a significantly higher rate than Carnegie Research Intensive Universities. Data from 2023 shows that nearly 71% of Iowa State's undergraduate students participated in two or more high impact practices during their undergraduate experience.
