Building upon Kuh's (2008) research on high-impact educational practices, the authors interviewed Dr. Aaron Thompson to discuss effective implementation of these teaching and learning initiatives and the advancement of faculty development programming to support them. Dr. Thompson is the Interim President of Kentucky State University and Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer. He is also a scholar of leadership, student success, retention, first-year students, and organizational design. The interview calls for continuous and deliberate engagement with students where they are and aligns these related areas to provide a deeper perspective for higher education leaders to consider moving forward.