The University of Wisconsin-Madison became a new host to the Association of American Colleges and Universities’ (AACU) institute series in June. More than 240 faculty educators and team leaders from around the nation converged on the campus for the 2013 Institute on High-Impact Practices and Student Success to work in community and share resources. Hosted by the Damon A. Williams, Ph.D. and the Office of the Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer, many of the AACU educators hadn’t previously been to Madison, but raved about UW’s size, beauty and involvement in high-impact learning experiences.
The AACU offers three annual institutes around the country through out the summer, said Karen Kalla, director of the AACU Network for Academic Renewal. Each institute brings participants together for plenary session, reflection and skill-building sessions, facilitated discussions and team time — where they have uniterrupted time to meet with their collegues in teams to develop action plans and engage the expertise of Institute faculty through direct conversations and consultations.
Previously titled “Great Expectations,” the evolving High-Impact Practices Institute focuses on raising the level of expectations for all students and campuswide inclusive excellence at all levels, she said. Now focusing on student success, educators gather to work on creating and sharing their frameworks for high-impact practices that help all students achieve their goals. Typically, the institutes are held in different geographical locations around the country, Kalla said. Their decision to come to UW–Madison had to do with the campus’ and all the UW System schools’ deep involvement in research and work toward student success.
“It was unexpected and delightful,” said Susan Madera of Queensboro Community College in the City University of New York (CUNY) system about the AACU institute’s week on the UW–Madison campus. Participants were housed in Ogg Hall and held their sessions among the Fluno Center, Gordon Commons and the Pyle Center. “It was a wonderful introduction to your studies and relevant issues we don’t always think about.”
AACU participants gave a standing ovation to the First wave interns’ social justice and outreach presentation on the intersectionality of race, culture and personal differences.