This presentation explores methods for increasing college retention rates by increasing first-time passing rates in first-year composition through the use of high impact practices (HIPs). A main focus of the presentation addresses what high-impact practices and higher engagement levels can look like in an introductory courses (such as curricular connections to current events and service learning) and how these strategies can also be applied to both online and hi-flex courses. City as Text™, a pedagogical activity that originated from the National Collegiate Honors Council, will also be discussed as a tool that can help instructors implement high-impact practices in the composition classroom.

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