Albion College Secures $10,000 from MCAN to Redesign Gateway Courses

Why Gateway Course Redesign Matters for Student Success

Gateway courses—those foundational classes in English, math, biology, and chemistry—often set the tone for a student’s entire college experience. When these courses remain rigid, they can become high‑dropout zones, especially for underprepared or low‑income students. Recent studies show that courses designed with flexible pacing, inclusive content, and active learning techniques improve retention by 15% to 25% and raise overall graduation rates. Albion’s new funding aligns with this evidence, enabling the college to tailor its offerings to the diverse needs of its student body.

The MCAN Faculty Academy: A Collaborative Framework

The Michigan College Access Network’s Faculty Academy is an 18‑month, faculty‑driven initiative that brings educators together to rethink critical entry‑level courses. Built on national research and best practices, the Academy focuses on equity and effectiveness at scale. In collaboration with Almy Education and Sova, the program provides structured technical assistance, peer‑learning communities, and cross‑institutional case studies. Albion’s participation places it alongside 15 other institutions, creating a ready‑made network for sharing strategies and troubleshooting common redesign challenges.

Technical Assistance You Can Count On

Faculty teams receive hands‑on support from instructional designers, content specialists, and data analysts. The Academy offers workshops on assessment design, analytics dashboards, and inclusive pedagogy. By integrating these resources, Albion’s redesign teams can set clear learning outcomes, install proficiency checkpoints, and adjust pacing based on real‑time data.

Albion’s Redesign Plan: From Vision to Implementation

With the $10,000 grant, Albion’s Office of Instructional Technology allocated funds to prototype new course modules, update learning management system (LMS) templates, and hire a part‑time instructional designer as a liaison to faculty. The goal is to overhaul three core courses in the first semester and assess impact over the next six months. The plan also includes an annual review cycle to evaluate student feedback, completion rates, and transfer success.

Curriculum Overhaul in Practice

As a concrete example, the introductory biology course is replacing its large‑lecture format with a hybrid model that incorporates short video segments, real‑world problem sets, and collaborative lab simulations. Students will engage with active‑learning prompts during synchronous sessions, supported by flipped‑classroom materials that allow them to apply concepts at their own pace before class. Assessment approaches shift from traditional exams to portfolio‑based evaluations, giving students multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery.

Equity and Effectiveness: Key Design Principles

Albion has anchored its redesign on two pillars: equity and effectiveness. Equity means designing courses that recognize diverse cultural backgrounds, learning styles, and academic readiness. Effectiveness focuses on evidence‑based instructional strategies that demonstrate measurable improvements in learning outcomes. For instance, adding culturally relevant examples into literature assignments helps broaden student perspectives, while micro‑breaks within longer lectures reduce cognitive fatigue.

Inclusivity in Course Materials

The redesign team is replacing textbook passages that rely heavily on Western-centric perspectives with a mix of global sources. Faculty are also training in universal design for learning (UDL) principles, ensuring that materials are accessible to students with disabilities and multiple language proficiencies. This inclusive approach has been linked to higher enrollment rates in intro courses among first‑generation and underrepresented minorities.

Supporting Faculty Through Technical Assistance and Collaboration

One of the Academy’s strengths is the peer‑learning component. Faculty from participating colleges meet twice a month to discuss debugging challenges, share successful rubrics, and brainstorm service‑learning projects. Albion’s instructors are already scheduling joint sessions with peers from Grand Valley State University and Central Michigan University to align their biology and chemistry modules.

Data‑Driven Decision Making

Using analytics tools integrated into Albion’s LMS, faculty can monitor student engagement in real time. Measures such as click‑stream data, discussion forum participation, and assignment completion rates help instructors spot early signs of struggle and intervene promptly. This proactive stance reduces the need for remedial courses later in a student’s academic trajectory.

Expected Outcomes: Retention, Completion, and Workforce Readiness

By aligning course design with modern learning science, Albion anticipates a measurable uptick in course completion rates—projected at up to 20% for the first GPA cohort. Beyond statistics, the redesign will better prepare students for STEM careers by embedding transferable skills like critical thinking, data literacy, and collaborative problem solving.

Transfer and Employment Benefits

Students who master redesigned courses are more likely to meet prerequisites for higher‑level majors, thus lowering the transfer gap between community colleges and four‑year institutions. Moreover, employers often cite foundational coursework as a key indicator of readiness for entry‑level positions, making Albion’s revamped courses a competitive advantage in the hiring market.

Next Steps for Colleges Considering Similar Initiatives

Institutions interested in pursuing a gateway course redesign can begin by assessing the current state of their foundational classes. Key questions include: Are student outcomes meeting institutional goals? Do assessment methods align with learning objectives? Is there clear data on retention and completion? Once these gaps are identified, colleges can apply for Academy membership or partner with industry consultants for a tailored implementation plan.

Funding Opportunities and Partnerships

In addition to the MCAN grant, many states offer research and development funds for instructional design. Alliances with non‑profit partners, such as Almy Education and Sova, can provide technical expertise and access to national case studies. Secure a budget, path‑way planning, and administrative buy‑in to guarantee the move from pilot to scaling across the curriculum.

Take Action to Elevate Your Gateway Courses

Faculty who want to start the redesign process should connect with Albion’s Office of Instructional Technology. Engaging early with instructional designers and peer reviewers will streamline course development and help maintain alignment with accreditation standards.

Explore our faculty development resources here and see how other institutions are transforming take‑away teaching practices. Future case studies and cohort reports will be posted monthly to support your design cycle.

Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how to apply evidence‑based redesign to your own courses. We’ll share best practices, resources, and potential funding pathways tailored to your institutional context.

Submit your application today to join the next Academy cohort and bring your courses into a future‑ready framework that prioritizes equity, student success, and workforce readiness.

Have additional questions or need clarification on specific course redesign strategies? Contact us for personalized guidance.