Undergraduate Catalog Update

Every project begins with understanding what success looks like. For the 2021-2022 UNT Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs, that meant balancing a multitude of priorities: ensuring compliance with Texas state regulations, maintaining adherence to university style guidelines, and preserving each department’s unique voice. While these goals might seem straightforward on paper, in practice, they often conflicted.

I started by identifying key stakeholders and their expectations. Departments needed flexibility to highlight the strengths of their programs, but the content also had to meet strict compliance standards—no room for ambiguity. To address this, I set up a structured workflow: SharePoint became our central hub for document management, and Microsoft Word’s track changes feature ensured transparency. Monthly meetings were scheduled as a space for departments to raise concerns and seek clarification, creating a foundation of collaboration and trust.

With the groundwork laid, the next challenge was collecting and organizing input from various departments. Each submission brought its own voice and tone. I coordinated with representatives across campus to gather updates, ensuring their contributions adhered to university style and state requirements.

Conflicting input often landed on my desk. For example, sections involving interdisciplinary programs required agreement from three different departments. These weren’t just minor edits—sometimes, the content presented entirely different priorities. My role was to listen, synthesize their needs, and create a version that worked for everyone. It wasn’t always easy, but proactive communication and a solutions-focused mindset made the difference.

Once input was gathered, the real work began. Editing for compliance wasn’t just about grammar—though precision mattered greatly. (After all, “a course” in computer science is very different from “the course” in computer science.) Every sentence needed to meet state regulations while avoiding any room for misinterpretation.

The Music department posed a particularly intricate challenge. Their programs often exceeded the 120-hour credit limit, designed intentionally to give students creative flexibility. Balancing this with compliance required careful editing to maintain clarity without stripping away their programs’ uniqueness. It was a balancing act, but through detailed review and collaboration, we achieved a solution that satisfied all requirements.

As edits progressed, department feedback poured in. The monthly meetings became a cornerstone of the process, providing a forum to address questions, resolve disputes, and align on changes. When conflicts arose, such as differing interpretations of state requirements, I facilitated discussions to find common ground.

For instance, in one case, three departments had competing priorities for a shared program description. Rather than forcing a decision, I worked closely with representatives from each department, combining their perspectives into a final version that honored their needs while maintaining compliance. Every change was tracked meticulously, ensuring accountability and transparency throughout the process.

Each section of the catalog was reviewed for compliance, clarity, and consistency. By the time we hit the deadline, the catalog reflected the best of what UNT had to offer: a clear, compliant, and user-friendly resource for students and faculty alike.

This project wasn’t without its challenges, but those challenges became opportunities to refine processes and strengthen collaboration. The end result was a catalog that not only met state and university requirements but also supported the unique identity of each department. It was a team effort, and I’m proud to have been a part of it.