Curriculum Connector

The Curriculum Connector is dedicated to aligning curriculum with student academic journeys and career aspirations.  We collaborate with faculty and industry partners to ensure students receive a deep grounding in durable educational experiences, as well as career-ready skills, equipping them to thrive in their careers and lives. UNT is committed to educational innovation that supports the workforce needs of Texas.

The Curriculum Connector

• Connects educators in high schools and community colleges with educators at UNT to share expertise about student learning and curricular needs for incoming students
• Connects UNT faculty with industry professionals to inform experiences and curricula that help prepare students for a rapidly evolving workplace
• Supports the UNT academic ecosystem in curricular design projects to address impediments to student academic success and career preparation.
• Works across the university to identify opportunities to better align university core curriculum and degree pathways with institutional goals.
• Serves as an innovation incubator for the development of new curricular models that engage students, employers, and the community to support the talent needs of our region, state, and nation.
• Supports the work of the Learning Institute and Teaching Hub in the integrative development of new strategies, policies, and practices that support student success.

The Curriculum Connector will engage faculty, staff, and students through a series of opportunities: informal gatherings, seminars featuring both external and internal experts, individual consultations, and networking opportunities with industry leaders.

Current Projects

We have a growing number of projects that we are planning to pursue this year, including:

• Exploring new, creative possibilities within the Core Curriculum.
• Examining current employment trends and cultivating relationships with industry leaders to guide curricular innovation.
• Supporting new pathways into higher education, creating supportive first year and gap year experiences.
• Exploring ways to enhance the career relevance of majors already strong in critical and creative education. 

Curriculum Connector Leadership & Partners

The Curriculum Connector is led by co-directors who bring a wide range of experience from within and outside the university to their work: Dr. Michael Monticino, from the Department of Data Analytics and Statistics in the College of Science, and Dr. April Prince, from the Department of Music History in the College of Music.

They are joined by a Steering Committee composed of faculty and staff from across the university who bring a breadth of experience and perspective. Steering Committee members help guide the priorities, goals, and operating practices of the Curriculum Connector.

As its name implies, the Curriculum Connector is designed to connect broadly with university constituents and community stakeholders to create stronger academic to career pathways for UNT students. The Curriculum Connector will partner with the many UNT divisions, academic units, and faculty who are devoted to the success of our students.

Interested in learning more?

Please contact us at curriculum.connector@unt.edu.