Case Study – Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Until recently, Mitchell Hamline School of Law had been managing its academic catalog and student handbooks through a mix of static PDFs and web pages that required constant upkeep. Every policy change or course update meant reformatting files, uploading new versions, and double-checking links. It was an ongoing challenge for a busy registrar’s office. To streamline the process and create a more polished resource for students and faculty, the school partnered with Clean Catalog to bring their catalog into the digital age with a web-based catalog site. We recently spoke with Sheila Tolley, Executive Registrar at Mitchell Hamline, about what the transition to Clean Catalog looked like and how it has transformed the way her team manages catalog content.

The Challenges

Before switching to Clean Catalog, Mitchell Hamline’s academic catalog and student handbook existed as a website that linked to different static PDFs. What seemed like a simple solution at first quickly became cumbersome as academic programs evolved and policies changed. Each update required manual edits, reformatting, and re-uploading files, a time-consuming process that opened the door to inconsistencies and human error. Faculty and staff often struggled to locate accurate, up-to-date information, and students couldn’t easily search or find the materials they needed. In addition to usability issues, the law school wanted a catalog that reflected its professionalism and strong institutional identity. The university saw a need for a modern platform that could simplify catalog management for its staff and strengthen their online presence, which ultimately led them to Clean Catalog.

The Process

When Mitchell Hamline partnered with Clean Catalog, the goal was not just to move online; it was to build a catalog system tailored to how their institution operates. Our Clean Catalog implementation team worked closely with Tolley and her staff to transfer years of catalog content into a digital platform that was both easy to manage and true to the school’s brand standards. “The team at Clean Catalog made the transition very easy for us,” Tolley recalls. “They were open to all of the various setup requirements and additions to the catalog. The CC team provided quick solutions and answered all of our questions.”

Degree course requirements display in Mitchell Hamline course catalog.

Clean Catalog handled the heavy lifting of setup and migration, while also providing hands-on training so the university’s staff could confidently manage updates moving forward. Tolley described the experience as “seamless,” noting that “the team at Clean Catalog took care of every detail and provided excellent service to our school. We had a very quick turnaround, and they met all deadlines.” The collaborative process ensured that every customization, from page layouts to PDF formatting, reflected Mitchell Hamline’s exact specifications.

Our Solutions

Mitchell Hamline’s new catalog launched with a clean design that captures the prestige of the institution while making navigation simple and intuitive for users. Built using Clean Catalog’s user-friendly software, the system allows staff to update content instantly without reformatting or re-uploading. “The software is very user-friendly, and my job is much easier,” Tolley said. The new administrative interface gave her and her team the ability to manage program updates, policy revisions, and archival materials with minimal effort.

To further align with the school’s vision, Clean Catalog integrated several customizations that made the catalog feel distinctly Mitchell Hamline. The faculty page now features professional headshots of professors and staff members, creating a more personal and engaging experience for visitors. Additionally, an archive of past course catalogs and student handbooks was added directly to the catalog homepage, giving students and alumni easy access to historical documents while keeping the current catalog clear and organized. This repository will also prove beneficial when Mitchell Hamline seeks accreditation renewal with the American Bar Association (ABA).

Faculty display in Mitchell Hamline course catalog.

Tolley noted that “the catalog used our branding guidelines and was exactly what we wanted. We added pictures of individual people in roles of executive leadership, board of trustees, and faculty. The PDF was customized so that the margins were wider, the pictures were included, and the titles and subtitles were changed to better show the differences.” These details, while subtle, created a more polished representation of the law school’s academic professionalism.

Looking Forward

Today, Mitchell Hamline’s catalog is not just a compliance tool, but a powerful resource for its entire academic community. The platform empowers the registrar’s office to make real-time updates, ensuring accuracy and accessibility for students, faculty, and prospective applicants alike. “The software is excellent and exceeds our needs,” Tolley said. “The customer service is excellent!” After implementing Clean Catalog at two different institutions, her recommendation is strong: “Yes, I would provide an excellent recommendation. I have had the opportunity to implement the Clean Catalog software twice. The software is good, but the customer service is great!” With a modern, accessible catalog that’s easy to manage and enjoyable to use, Mitchell Hamline School of Law has transformed its catalog into a dynamic resource—one that grows and evolves alongside the institution.