NC State’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), “Packways: Learning by Doing,” focuses on increasing student access to, participation in and value gained from high-quality High-Impact Experiences (HIEs). HIEs that align with the Packways framework are transformative learning experiences that:
- Require sustained engagement with complex problems or real-world applications;
- Involve significant time investment and student contribution to outcomes;
- Include mentoring or substantial collaboration; and
- Build in a structured critical reflection that helps students articulate the value of the experience and its impact on their future.
The Packways pilot year (2024-25) established a strong foundation for the initiative and additional opportunities will be added in 2025-26. Three cohorts (53 faculty, staff and advisors) completed professional development and reported substantial gains in confidence across HIE competencies. Campus engagement was strong, with Packways branding and language developed, discussions with colleges, departments and units and a community of practice established.
Student engagement highlights included:
- About two dozen videos sharing student perspectives on HIEs;
- Critical input from our 12-member Student Advisory Board and student focus groups;
- The creation of a student communication and engagement plan; and
- Reaching approximately 8,000 incoming first-year and transfer students through orientation programming, resulting in a dramatic increase in traffic to the updated website.
“I really learned how to be patient and problem-solve, because it’s not like a class where you make a mistake, you are told what you did wrong and you have to correct it. You have to reach out to those who knows a little bit more than you or have more experience than you to get the feedback that’s been really helpful.”
Patrick Cardona-Cosner, Biochemistry and Genetics
The pilot year also introduced the “Packways Recognized” approach to ensure that Packways-affiliated HIEs align with our framework. To achieve Packways Recognized status, HIE leaders participate in a cohort-based professional development workshop series, submit an HIE Action Plan and agree to share student critical reflection scores.
Currently, 30 HIEs have earned this designation, making them eligible to apply for student enrichment funding, be included on our website and HIE calendar, and receive other perks. Facilitators of Packways Recognized HIEs have been invited to apply for student enrichment funds of up to $10,000 to reduce financial challenges to HIE participation (deadline is noon on Sept. 2).
The QEP has several priorities for 2025-26 based on pilot year data, feedback and experience. The first is to increase the number of Packways Recognized HIEs by expanding professional development with the addition of a Packways Express option. Packways Express is designed for existing HIEs that would align with the QEP HIE framework with minor adjustments.
Packways Express professional development will consist of a single online self-paced module, submission of an HIE Action Plan for review, and agreement to share student critical reflection scores. Faculty and staff who complete Packways Express will have access to the same resources and benefits as other Packways Recognized HIEs.
The original Packways professional development will also be available for HIEs that are new or would benefit from additional development. Finally, a workshop for advisors, Packways A+, will be developed to help advisors with the critical task of connecting students with HIEs. Workshops will resume this fall. Faculty, staff and advisors interested in participating in any of our professional development options can complete the Packways PD interest form.
In the coming year, we will also add community of practice meetings, enhance peer-to-peer communication through a Packways Champions program, distribute student enrichment funding to the initial Packways Recognized HIEs and open proposals for next year’s funding, and fine-tune assessment. We encourage you to join us as Packways grows. All NC State faculty, staff and advisors are welcome to join the community of practice listserv.
