Higher education today faces unique challenges. Decreasing student engagement, increasing diversity, and limited resources all contribute to the issues being faced by students, educators, and administrators alike. The unique characteristics and expectations that students bring to their professional programs require new methods of addressing classroom activities and student learning. Because both intrinsic and extrinsic factors play a role in academic success, educators need to be better equipped to promote student engagement both inside and outside of the classroom through purposeful learning opportunities. The purpose of this article is to discuss practical strategies for increasing students' academic achievement, as well as to provide educators with applicable means for informing instructional methodologies.