A New Learning Ecosystem

Centering Learning and Innovation in the Student Success Mission

A design process to co-create an unprecedented new support system for teaching and learning

Spring 2025

This webpage outlines a process for the creation of a new structure that places learning and innovation — and the faculty, students and staff involved in this work — at the center of the student success mission of UNT.

This process answers the call set out by President Keller that challenges UNT "to create transformative value for students and enhance innovation and economic impact for our region, our state, and our nation, and to make UNT a leader in a new generation of great American universities. To realize this vision, we need to redesign our approach to supporting teaching and learning at UNT to better support student success and learning outcomes.”

In response to this challenge for an entirely redesigned approach, this process proposes a tripartite structure with three independent units that have interlinked functions; these are minimalistically (and temporarily) labeled as the “Learning Initiative,” “Teaching Hub,” and “Curriculum Connector.”

The Learning Initiative

The Learning Initiative exists to foster a dynamic, collaborative community that advances innovative, research-based approaches to learning and development. By bridging research and practice, leveraging the strengths of UNT faculty, staff, and students, and engaging in multidisciplinary partnerships within the university and broader community, the initiative supports professional growth and instructional design with the ultimate goal of enhancing student success.

The Learning Initiative at the University of North Texas is a pioneering organization designed to advance research, collaboration, and practical applications of human learning science. The initiative will convene faculty, staff, and students from diverse disciplines and academic levels to develop a contextualized understanding of human learning, directly driving student success and institutional innovation. By serving as a catalyst for scholarly inquiry, creative problem-solving, and community building, the Learning Initiative will significantly impact teaching practices, curriculum design, and student engagement at UNT.

The Teaching Hub 

The Teaching Hub exists as a collaborative and inclusive community dedicated to advancing transformative, evidence-based teaching practices at UNT. We empower educators through strategic support, practical resources, and opportunities for innovation that enhance pedagogy and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. As a catalyst for academic excellence, we aim to inspire curiosity, nurture confidence, and drive meaningful student success across our institution.

The Teaching Hub at the University of North Texas is an interdisciplinary Center for Teaching and Learning designed to empower faculty, graduate students, and staff in creating meaningful and impactful learning experiences. By fostering a collaborative environment, the hub will provide resources, mentorship, and innovative tools to enhance teaching practices across the university.

The Curriculum Connector

The Curriculum Connector bridges research, curriculum, and career readiness by integrating innovative learning methodologies with intentional academic and career pathways. By collaborating with faculty, students, and industry partners, the unit ensures UNT students receive a meaningful and future-ready education. Through curriculum alignment, skill mapping, and sustained community engagement, the Curriculum Connector strengthens the academic journey from enrollment to career, enhancing both individual student outcomes and UNT’s institutional impact.

The Curriculum Connector is a transformative organization dedicated to aligning academic curriculum with student journeys and external contexts. It fosters internal coherence across UNT’s educational landscape while ensuring students are equipped to thrive in their post-graduation careers. By integrating academic programs with career pathways, experiential learning, and industry partnerships, it strengthens UNT’s reputation as an innovative and forward-thinking institution.

This work is sponsored by President Harrison Keller. It culminates a year-long listening and discovery project facilitated by senior advisors to the president Heidi Elmendorf and Randy Bass of Georgetown University. The design process described here will run through May 2025 and will involve faculty, staff, university leadership, and academic governance. For more information, email studentsuccess@unt.edu.