UP Gazette

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) has been chosen as one of 14 Michigan colleges and universities to take part in the first Gateway Course Redesign Faculty Academy. The academy is an 18-month program organized by the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), in partnership with Almy Education and Sova.

The initiative is designed to help participating institutions rethink and restructure key introductory courses, such as Math, English, and Science. The goal is to remove barriers for students, improve achievement, and boost overall outcomes. Each school selected for the academy will receive $10,000 in funding to support their course redesign efforts.

LSSU’s involvement highlights its focus on student success, especially for those who are the first in their families to attend college.

“We were drawn to the Gateway Course Redesign Academy because it’s not just about redesigning a math course, but it’s about bringing a whole cross-campus team together to rethink placement, courses, and processes in a way that centers students,” said Jennifer Gorman, assistant professor of mathematics at LSSU. “With so many of our students being first-generation, this work matters a lot to us. The Academy’s support will help us build on the discussions we’ve already been having and move forward with this important work.”

The Gateway Course Redesign Faculty Academy uses national research and best practices. It is structured by faculty members for faculty members. Participants receive technical assistance and tailored support while collaborating across institutions. The aim is to help educators design courses that are both equitable and effective.