Led by the Auburn Summer STEM Institute (AUSSI), this workshop introduces evidence-based strategies for creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences in post-secondary mathematics education. Grounded in D. Fink’s Backward Design framework, participants will learn a systematic approach to course design that begins with articulating significant learning goals, aligning assessments with those goals, and developing instructional activities that foster deep student understanding. This workshop guides attendees through essential steps in transformative course design: defining clear learning outcomes, creating authentic assessments, and crafting student-centered instructional experiences. Participants will leave equipped with practical tools and frameworks to implement rich, student-centered learning in their own mathematics courses.