Participants will:
The Academy is designed for:
The academy draws from a broad array of research and practice-based literature, interactions with notable scholars specializing in the first college year, and various data sources, participants will conduct an institutional audit and begin to develop a plan aimed at improving the experience of students in the first college year.
Drawing from over forty years of experience, the Gardner Institute has tapped the considerable knowledge of our founders, John N. Gardner and Betsy Barefoot, and our CEO Drew Koch.Their wisdom is further augmented by our facilitators: Brent Drake, Stephanie Foote, Sara Stein Koch, and Felita Williams, all of whom bring with them a wealth of scholarly and practical knowledge. During the Academy, you will receive feedback and support from one of the facilitators who will serve as your advisor.
During the Academy, you will be introduced to evidence-based approaches that are practical and can be adapted and applied in various institutional settings.
By the end of the Academy, your team will have identified and be prepared to develop a plan to improve an area or aspect of the experience of your first-year students.
Fees are based on undergraduate enrollment as determined by College Navigator. Fees are assessed per institution, not per individual participant.
Applications are currently being accepted for Spring 2026 cohort. You can apply at this link.
Applicants are accepted on a first come, first served basis; subject to approval. Early registration is recommended.
Your institution has the option to create a team or utilize an existing team or committee. The individuals will vary by institution, a successful team is one most likely to design and create an equity-focused retention process at your institution.
All meetings are typically held from 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern:
Depending on the size of your team and how the work is divided we estimate approximately 3 -5 hours per week for the Academy.
We recommend a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 8. We can accommodate a larger team.
You will receive an application confirmation email within 1 week of applying. An agreement will be sent to the person designated in the application. Once the agreement has been signed you will receive further information from the Academy facilitators. Please contact info@gardnerinstitute.org with any questions.
