Web Transformation Roadmap

Colorado School of Mines

Mines Website Transformation: A Future-Ready Digital Experience

Mines is in the process of transforming our website to better support institutional goals and engage prospective students. This includes transitioning to a new content management system that will power a fully redesigned, mobile-ready mines.edu and a new internal intranet. We’re shifting the site’s role from an operational resource full of internal resources to a dynamic marketing and recruiting tool that prioritizes the prospective student experience.

Why This Matters

The Mines website is one of our most powerful tools for engaging future Orediggers and showcasing our strengths. The transformation will:

  • Prioritize the prospective student experience
  • Showcase research, labs, centers and scholarly work at Mines.
  • Improve content organization and navigation
  • Provide a consistent, on-brand user experience across devices
  • Streamline content management for site editors/web admins
  • Ensure outdated content can easily be identified, reviewed, updated or removed
  • Strengthen search engine visibility, generative engine visibility and organic traffic
  • Improve accessibility to meet or exceed WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines
  • Offer a password-protected internal resource for staff and faculty

Collaborations

Multiple teams are working closely together to shape content, design and a navigation that better reflect the needs of prospective students, industry partners and donors.

  • The Office of Communications and Marketing, in collaboration with Enrollment Management, will manage public-facing, prospect-oriented content.
  • Elliance, our agency partner, is leading the manual migration of prospect-oriented content. Details about migration for other public pages, research site content and personal faculty websites will be provided in the coming months.
  • IT will handle the migration of internal content to the intranet.
  • Terminalfour, our content management system provider, serves as the backbone of the website, providing a platform that allows users to create, manage, and update web content efficiently.
  • Smaller web advisory groups including faculty and staff representatives will be engaged throughout the fall to solicit input and be kept informed of the process.

Project Timeline

Planning Phase 1
Outside view of Starzer Center on Colorado School of Mines campus
Planning Phase 1

Spring 2025

Our external partner, Elliance, completed a content audit and initiated the content strategy phase, including wireframing and copywriting. Concurrently, a new content management system was selected and contracted through a formal RFP process.

Planning Phase 2
View of CoorsTek building on Mines campus with fall leaves in the foreground
Planning Phase 2

Fall 2025

This fall, the Office of Communications and Marketing will meet with web advisory groups including web administrators to help inform the migration of prospect-facing content into the new system.

DEVELOPMENT PHASE
Colorado of Mines students working on a laptop
DEVELOPMENT PHASE

Winter - Spring 2026

Prospect-facing website design, front-end and back-end development and testing.

Migration Phase 1
President Johnson taking a selfie with students during the M Climb
Migration Phase 1

Summer 2026

Launch of the redesigned prospect-facing website, focused on content that supports recruitment, enrollment and external engagement.

Migration Phase 2
Aerial view of Guggenheim Hall on a beautiful spring sunny day.
Migration Phase 2

Fall 2026

Rollout of other public-facing pages and introduction of the new intranet environment for internal tools and resources.

Migration Phase 3
Mines researchers in the Civil & Environmental research lab
Migration Phase 3

Winter 2026 - 2027

Rollout of additional public-facing pages including:

  • Research centers
  • Academic research groups
  • Library website
  • Personal faculty websites
  • Student organization websites

Web Transformation FAQs

Why is Mines redesigning the website?

The current site has grown organically over time and no longer reflects our strategic priorities or user needs. This redesign will focus on improving the experience for prospective students, modernizing our technology and creating a more effective platform for recruitment and engagement.

What is a content management system and why are we switching?

A content management system (CMS) is the platform used to create and manage web content. Mines currently uses WordPress with Divi Builder, but we are transitioning to Terminalfour—a system better suited for higher education marketing, accessibility standards and centralized brand management. It will also support a new intranet for internal tools and content.

Who is working on this project?

This is a joint effort between the Office of Communications and Marketing, Information Technology, Enrollment Management and our external partner Elliance. Together, we are rebuilding the site’s architecture, design and content strategy to serve our audiences more effectively.

What can I do now to assist with the transition?

  • Review and update your current website content
  • Remove outdated or unused pages
  • Start considering what content is ideal for an internal-facing Mines audience vs. a public-facing prospect audience

How can I tell what content belongs on the new website versus the intranet?

In collaboration with Elliance, the Office of Communications and Marketing (working in coordination with Enrollment Management) will lead the effort to determine which content remains public. The primary goal is to ensure that public-facing content clearly communicates the value of Mines to prospective students, families, alumni, and external partners. Content that is legally required to remain public will continue to be accessible. Content meant only for internal use—like procedures or policies—should move to the intranet. Course content should reside in Canvas. IT will provide guidance on this transition.

Will I still be able to edit my own pages?

Yes. Mines will continue using a distributed web model, where editors and administrators across campus manage their own content, though there will be shifts in responsibility for prospect-oriented content such as program pages. The new system will introduce more structured workflows and built-in guardrails to ensure content meets accessibility standards, aligns with brand guidelines and delivers a consistent experience for all users. Training and support will be provided to help editors navigate these updates and understand roles and responsibilities.

Who is responsible for migrating content?

Elliance will migrate prospect-oriented content for the first phase of the project and Terminalfour will be migrating content from the Mines Newsroom and Mines Magazine. We will engage with external partners to assist with the migration of other public-facing content in phase two. More information to come.

Will training be available for web administrators?

Yes. Training for content editors will begin after the phase one prospect-facing site launch. It will include hands-on sessions, online resources and documentation to help you navigate Terminalfour.

What sites are not in scope of this initiative?

  • Foundation website (weare.mines.edu)
  • Athletics (minesathletics.com)

May I keep my research content or personal faculty website in WordPress?

No. As part of this project, all Mines websites will be migrated into our new platform, Terminalfour. This will ensure a consistent, secure and accessible experience for our audiences and make it easier to keep content updated. We will share detailed next steps for moving your research or personal faculty site into Terminalfour in the coming months.

My research website needs to be updated. Should I do it now before the transition or wait?

Now is a great time to make sure your content is updated and old or duplicate pages are removed from your site, but avoid spending time on major design revisions since content will be migrating to a new system in summer.

Who do I contact for help?

Please email webteam@mines.edu with questions or to get involved. You can also watch for updates on this page, via the Daily Blast and internal presentations as the project moves forward.

Migration Details

The following websites will be migrated during this phase

  • mines.edu
  • mines.edu/admissions
  • mines.edu/undergraduate-admissions
  • gradprograms.mines.edu
  • mines.edu/academics
  • mines.edu/president/
  • online.mines.edu
  • research.mines.edu
  • finaid.mines.edu
  • mines.edu/residence-life
  • mines.edu/student-activities
  • mines.edu/veterans
  • mines.edu/global
  • mines.edu/student-life
  • ams.mines.edu
  • chemeng.mines.edu
  • chemistry.mines.edu
  • cee.mines.edu
  • cs.mines.edu
  • econbus.mines.edu
  • electrical.mines.edu
  • eds.mines.edu
  • geology.mines.edu
  • geophysics.mines.edu
  • hass.mines.edu
  • mechanical.mines.edu
  • metallurgy.mines.edu
  • mining.mines.edu
  • petroleum.mines.edu
  • physics.mines.edu
  • energysystems.mines.edu
  • additive.mines.edu
  • ccus.mines.edu
  • datascience.mines.edu
  • energyminor.mines.edu
  • geochem.mines.edu
  • gis.mines.edu
  • humanitarian.mines.edu
  • hydrology.mines.edu
  • materials.mines.edu
  • rotc.mines.edu
  • nuclear.mines.edu
  • orwe.mines.edu
  • qbe.mines.edu
  • quantum.mines.edu
  • robotics.mines.edu
  • space.mines.edu
  • mines.edu/teacherprep
  • ucte.mines.edu
  • mines.edu/honors

Dates and details to be determined and subject to change.

  • commencement.mines.edu
  • diplomas.mines.edu
  • mines.edu/trustees
  • mines.edu/parking
  • mines.edu/sustainability
  • mines.edu/privacy
  • mines.edu/oie
  • mines.edu/clery-act (combined with OIE)
  • mines.edu/mac
  • brand.mines.edu
  • mines.edu/registrar
  • tour.mines.edu
  • Mines.edu/oredigger-experience/
  • careers.mines.edu
  • mines.edu/accessibility
  • mines.edu/campus-safety
  • mines.edu/disability-support-services
  • mines.edu/emergency
  • mines.edu/bursar
  • mines.edu/graduate-studies
  • mines.edu/undergraduate-studies
  • mines.edu/budget
  • nest.mines.edu

Dates and details to be determined and subject to change.

  • mines.edu/counseling-center
  • mines.edu/student-wellness
  • mines.edu/student-health
  • dental.mines.edu

Dates and details to be determined and subject to change.

  • mines.edu/wisem
  • pcprep.mines.edu
  • emcis.mines.edu
  • mines.edu/sustainable-energy
  • cornerstone.mines.edu
  • capstone.mines.edu
  • mines.edu/capstoneseniordesign
  • futureenergyscholars.mines.edu
  • firstyearhonors.mines.edu
  • mines.edu/grewcockscholars
  • mines.edu/undergraduate-research
  • mcbride.mines.edu
  • harveyscholars.mines.edu
  • grandchallenges.mines.edu
  • nationalscholarships.mines.edu
  • mines.edu/pascal
  • mines.edu/vip
  • mep.mines.edu

Dates and details to be determined and subject to change.

  • mines.edu/green-center
  • mines.edu/shared-facilities
  • mines.edu/thebhag
  • mcneil.mines.edu
  • ventures.mines.edu
  • labriola.mines.edu
  • mines.edu/ces

Dates and details to be determined and subject to change.

Phase 2E

  • Mines.edu/trioubms
  • Mines.eud/k14partnerships

Phase 2F

  • mines.edu/speak-up 
  • Mines.edu/compliance 

Phase 2G

  • museum.mines 
  • mines.edu/orecart

Dates and details to be determined and subject to change.

  • policylibrary.mines.edu

Most departments and offices will maintain a public-facing presence on the new website. However, a portion of content on the following microsites has been identified as more appropriate for the intranet – including internal processes, procedural documentation, policies and/or employee-facing resources. 

  • academicaffairs.mines.edu
  • facultysenate.mines.edu
  • earthsocietyportfolio.mines.edu
  • energymaterialsportfolio.mines.edu
  • researchcouncil.mines.edu
  • qef.mines.edu
  • postdocs.mines.edu
  • ethics.mines.edu
  • ora.mines.edu
  • trefnycenter.mines.edu
  • olfaculty.mines.edu
  • danielsfund.mines.edu
  • feexam.mines.edu
  • writing.mines.edu
  • otcc.mines.edu
  • peereducation.mines.edu
  • everyoredigger.mines.edu
  • shape.mines.edu
  • gsg.mines.edu
  • usg.mines.edu
  • casa.mines.edu
  • ace.mines.edu
  • afc.mines.edu
  • brand.mines.edu
  • hr.mines.edu
  • fao.mines.edu
  • budget.mines.edu
  • legal.mines.edu
  • controlleroffice.mines.edu
  • operations.mines.edu
  • facilitiesmanagement.mines.edu
  • designconstructionoffice.mines.edu
  • businessservices.mines.edu
  • capitalplanning.mines.edu
  • procurement.mines.edu
  • riskmanagement.mines.edu
  • it.mines.edu
  • ir.mines.edu
  • rc.mines.edu

Details coming soon

  • Research centers
  • Academic research groups
  • Library website
  • Personal faculty websites
  • Student organization websites