Published on Feb. 23, 2026

By: Alivia Roach

At Mizzou, we champion the opportunity for students to engage with high-impact practices (HIPs), as these are the experiences that stick with students long after the leave the classroom and campus. They are the practices that lead to strong academic performance, retention, engagement and graduation. All things we want for our students.

HIPs can look different for every student. For students a part of TRiO Student Support Services and Community Engaged Learning (CEL), students were given the opportunity to go on all expenses paid trip to our nation’s capitol in Washington D.C. to “gain exposure and access to professional networks, national spaces, decision-makes and environments where big conversations are happening,” said Shannah Lewis, an academic advisor for TRiO SSS. It was a way for students to see themselves in those spaces and learn about career pathways they may not have known existed prior.

CEL Directors Chad Follis and Graham McCaulley explain that the trip was for students to gain a better understanding on policy and civic engagement, in which that goal was accomplished in several different ways.

“Policy impacts every person, business, industry and even the government itself, so having an understanding of how this takes place is important in your career and as a citizen,” said Chad. “This trip allowed students to see the process firsthand while reflecting on their classroom experiences and leadership opportunities on campus.” It also highlighted how education can connect to communities beyond campus.

One of the students who was able to go on the D.C. trip, Keion Gines, took the experience and applied it to his own career aspirations.  Keion explained that to him, the trip helped align him with his profession. As a senior, the trip was a unique way for him to see the opportunities that waited for him after graduation. 

“To have that privilege be given to me by TRiO SSS is really rewarding and it shows how college can help you find yourself and your passions in life,” said Keion. 

From Kansas City, Keion is a political science and interdisciplinary studies major who joined TRiO SSS early in his college career. He is also involved with the Civic Leaders Internship Program (CLIP) program, where he works alongside state representatives in Jefferson City as a legislative assistant. 

With only a few days to pack all of the experience in, the trip was scheduled morning to evening so students wouldn’t miss a thing. Graham explained how each day had a different theme (e.g. Capitol Hill Day, Museum Day), and with a lot of information and things to do packed into each day, they debriefed intentionally and pushed students to reflect throughout the week. 

On the third day of the trip, the group explored graduate and professional schools, as well as other opportunities for community engaged learning. This included visiting George Washington University – School of Media and Public Affairs, The People’s House, Navy Memorial Plaza and many more. Every experience was chosen and presented to the students to better enhance their goals for during and after college.

“Experiences like this make college feel purposeful. Students don’t just earn a degree, they begin to understand how they will use it. And that shift in perspective is something that really strengthens their college journey and is neat to witness,” said Shannah.

For Keion, the experience meant more to him because he was a political science major in the nation’s capital. Being there, he discovered that learning extends far beyond the classroom and memorizing vocabulary terms. While textbooks offer a valuable foundation, stepping outside the traditional setting opened the door to richer experiences and deeper understanding than he ever imagined.

The trip itself provided more than just a way for students to get hands-on experience, but also several students, like Keion, to continue these pursuits once they got back to Mizzou. CLIP is there to assist those students in helping them progress their goals in civic engagement. 

“CLIP is about growing student’s professional skills through experiential internships in policy, government, public service, lobby, association advocacy and undergraduate legal internships,” said Chad. “There is no better way than to immerse students in the heart of our nation’s capital, where all of these things are happening.” 

And without TRiO, Keion wouldn’t have known or been able to have this exclusive opportunity presented to him. 

“TRiO provides a space for first-generation students to feel welcomed and supported on this campus,” said Keion. “During the trip, a lot of us connected with one another. If you’re a first- generation student, you need a space for you. You need a space to grow as an individual. You might need someone to hold you accountable while you’re here.”

High impact practices are a strong part of the curriculum here at the University of Missouri. Not only do they take learning beyond classroom doors, but they connect students with opportunities and experiences that help shape their next chapter.