Office of the Provost
Priorities

University Advisory Committee on Selection of a Learning Management System

Drexel University’s contract for our learning management system (LMS), Blackboard Learn, is ending soon, concurrent with Blackboard Learn’s transition to Blackboard Ultra. This provides an opportunity for Drexel to conduct a formal evaluation between two leading Learning Management Systems — Blackboard Ultra and Canvas — to determine which will be best suited to support our students, faculty, and the academic transition work that lay ahead.

Given the significant and far-reaching nature of this decision, Provost Jensen and Faculty Senate Chair Owens have charged a University Advisory Committee on Selection of a Learning Management System (UAC LMS) with evaluating and recommending a LMS that enhances the learning experience for students, supports faculty in delivering high-quality education, and provides effective administrative capabilities to best meet the needs across Drexel University. The full membership of the UAC LMS is listed below.

UAC LMS Membership

  • Dana Kemery, Co-Chair, College of Nursing and Health Professions; Chair, Senate Committee on Academic Support, Faculty Senate
  • Johanna Inman, Co-Chair, Teaching and Learning Center
  • Ken Blackney, Drexel University Information Technology
  • Jaimie Dougherty, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
  • Katherine Fischer, Drexel Libraries
  • Tim Gorichanaz, College of Computing & Informatics
  • Alan Hecht, LeBow College of Business
  • Monika Jost, College of Medicine
  • Ian Kollar, Kline School of Law
  • Christy Love, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Kelly Salmon, Salus at Drexel University
  • Mike Shelmet, Drexel University Information Technology
  • Mary Jean Tecce DeCarlo, School of Education
  • Jervis Thompson, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
  • Steve Weber, Office of the Provost
  • Amanda Leslie, Administrative Support, Office of the Provost

Update from the UAC

Drexel University will adopt Canvas as our new Learning Management System (LMS), following a University-wide pilot and evaluation process led by the University Advisory Committee on LMS Selection (UAC LMS).Canvas was chosen as Drexel’s LMS because it offers strong potential to enhance both the student and faculty experience. To ensure this transition is smooth and well-supported, an LMS Implementation Task Force, comprising members of the UAC and IT, will:
  • Build a University-wide roadmap that minimizes disruption to teaching and learning
  • Identify training and support needs to ensure successful adoption
  • Develop a communication plan to keep the community informed and engaged  
  • Leverage Canvas to advance Drexel’s retention and transformation goals

Timeline and Technology Updates

The transition to Canvas will occur in phases. Faculty are encouraged to migrate their courses to Canvas as soon as they are ready, with the exception of those teaching Gateway Courses or other first-year courses.

  • Gateway Courses: Please keep these in Blackboard for Winter 2026 so we can maintain Early Warning System data that helps support first-year students.
  • First-Year Courses in Canvas: If transitioned early, faculty will need to complete one extra weekly step to preserve retention data.

The data model used in our Early Warning System — used to anticipate needed support for  first-year students — is not yet available within Canvas. The above guidance is to ensure the preservation of valuable student retention data until this functionality has been addressed.

Timeline

  • Academic Year 2025-2026:
    • Fall: Faculty in 115 courses — enrolling nearly 2,000 students — are already using Canvas, providing valuable feedback and leading the way! The LMS Implementation Task Force will outline roadmap, training needs and communications.
    • Winter and Spring: Additional courses transitioning to Canvas (specific goals to come). Faculty may request to teach their courses in Canvas by working with their course scheduler, who can provide course-specific information for transitioning to Canvas.
  • Academic Year 2026-2027:
    • Fall: All courses transitioning to Canvas, with the goal of having most in Canvas for the start of the fall term. This is because Blackboard Original course materials will become read-only on December 31, 2026, which may impact students with outstanding coursework, including those with incomplete grades.
    • Winter and Spring: Canvas is fully implemented by January 1, 2027. All courses must be delivered in Canvas.

Tools

Blackboard integrations (Course Reserve, Kaltura, Turnitin and more) are now available in Canvas, with other integrations still to come. Review the Canvas Status page for details

Additional information on timelines, training and support is coming soon. If you’re ready to transition your course, please coordinate with your course scheduler.