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Purpose and Vision

The UNT College Realignment is a strategic effort to thoughtfully examine and optimize the academic organizational structure of the university in support of UNT's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term aspirations. As higher education continues to evolve, this initiative provides an opportunity to reimagine how our academic colleges are organized, including a shift from department-based to school-based structures. Ultimately, our aim is to cultivate stronger, more connected academic communities that empower students to thrive, foster meaningful collaboration across disciplines, elevate research and creative excellence, enhance operational effectiveness, and amplify UNT's impact across North Texas and beyond. In doing so, we position the university to respond with agility and purpose to the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Guiding Framework

We will take a comprehensive and informed approach to evaluating how academic units are organized and how they interact with the many administrative and support functions that contribute to the university’s success. The goal is not simply structural change, but the creation of an academic framework that better supports student success, empowers faculty and staff to do their most impactful work, fosters innovation and collaboration, and aligns our resources in ways that advance UNT’s mission and extend our impact across the communities we serve.

Working Groups

Recognizing that organizational changes have implications that extend beyond academic units, the College Realignment effort comprises a dedicated Operations Working Group charged with examining the operational, administrative, and service dimensions of potential realignment scenarios. This group will assess the coordination and integration required across academic units and key support divisions, including areas such as finance, human resources, information technology, facilities, enrollment management, student affairs, academic support services, communications, and research administration. Their work will help identify opportunities, challenges, resource implications, and implementation considerations that support informed decision-making.

  • Dr. Albert Bimper, Interim Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
  • Dr. Elizabeth With, Sr. Vice President, Student Affairs
  • Dr. Holly Hutchins, Vice Provost, Faculty Success
  • Brandi Everett, Vice Provost, Academic Resources
  • Patty Rodriguez, Director of Academic Personnel, Academic Resources
  • Elizabeth Vogt, Associate Vice Provost, Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness
  • Ana White, Director, Academic Advising, Student Success
  • Shari Schwartz, Registrar, Sr. Associate Vice President, Enrollment
  • James Garrison, Chief Information Officer, University Technology
  • Dr. Heidi Elmendorf, Deputy to the President for Strategic Initiatives
  • Dr. Pam Padilla, Vice President, Research and Innovation
  • DeeAnna Browning, Associate Vice President, Grants and Contracts Administration, Research and Innovation
  • Shelly Lane, Assistant Vice President, Advancement
  • Alayne Sewick, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Chief Human Resources Officer, UNT System
  • Sue Aichele, Director, Human Resources, UNT System
  • Dr. Brian Sauser, Professor and Chair, Supply Chain Management, G. Brint Ryan College of Business
  • Dr. Lisa Henry, Divisional Dean, Social Sciences; Professor of Anthropology, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
  • Dr. Jen Wallach, Divisional Dean, Humanities; Professor of History, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
  • Brenden Perfect, Assistant Dean, Finance and Administration, College of Engineering
  • Dr. Yunfei Du, Associate Dean, Academics, Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics
  • Dr. Warren Henry, Sr. Associate Dean, Academic Affairs; Professor of Music Education, College of Music
  • Dr. Dalena Dillman Taylor, Interim Associate Dean, Research and Community Engagement, College of Education
  • Quortina Phipps, Sr. Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Programs, College of Education
  • Nicole Foran, Interim Associate Dean, Administrative Affairs, College of Visual Arts and Design
  • Angela Vanecek, Office Manager, Academic Departments and Foundations Administration, College of Visual Arts and Design
  • Maia Cudhea, Assistant Dean, Finance and Administration, College of Science
  • Amanda Fuller, Associate Director, Academic Affairs Communications, University Brand Strategy and Communications

Looking Ahead

Through broad engagement, careful analysis, and collaborative planning, the College Realignment effort seeks to position UNT for continued excellence while building an organizational structure that is more responsive, connected, and aligned with the university's vision for the future.