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The article discusses the scope of the research in the Bringing Theory to Practice (BTP) project, which seeks the advancement of knowledge and the establishment of best practices centered in the BTP triangularity of engaged learning, student mental health and well-being, and civic development. According to the authors, BTP has developed an aggressive research agenda through systematically evaluating funded projects that intentionally address this triangularity. Principally, the article talks about the development and design of a research approach, encapsulates findings to date and describes future research directions.

The article focuses how Dickinson College based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania uses engaged learning and participation activities to foster student well-being within a liberal learning context. Anchored on the goals of Bringing Theory to Practice (BTP) project, the campus implemented an ambitious engaged learning initiative for first-year students with an accompanying research project to assess what impact these experiences have had on student engagement, well-being, alcohol use and civic engagement. After the implementation, it was shown that higher depression levels of students are largely manifestations of stress that developed in response to the additional time commitment of their off-campus community work.