The staff spotlight series celebrates and elevates all the people who make the UI College of Education such a special place to work. This spotlight recognizes the critical contributions our staff members make to the College of Education community in support of our faculty and students. 

In 2004, you could have found undergrad Chris Clough working at the University of Iowa's ITS Help Desk. Today, you’ll find him as the IT Director of the College of Education, College of Law, and the Division of Student Life. 

The position didn’t exist when he began full time at Iowa in 2009 – there wasn’t even a central IT support team yet. In just a decade, the team went from two members to a full 65-person staff that provides support to nearly every unit on campus. 

As the team expanded, new leadership positions were created, and Clough found himself taking on more managerial roles.  

Beginning with the Division of Student Life over four years ago and ending with the College of Law a little under a month ago, Clough became the IT Director of several colleges and departments at Iowa in an ambitious arrangement.  

What does your educational and professional background entail?

I started college at the University of Iowa in 2003 with the intention of getting a degree in biochemistry to develop medicine and combat cancer. As I continued to learn more about the world and myself, I realized I needed to directly interact with people. This caused me to change my major to management information systems and focus on technology, something that was previously a hobby.

What does your job entail in the College of Education?

I often find it difficult to describe my role as it's all-encompassing regarding technology, so any answer is overly stiff. I oversee IT operations for the College of Education – managing staff, aligning services with the OneIT model, and ensuring strategic resource allocation. I also lead cross-functional IT projects, foster collaboration across units, and represent the college in campus-wide communities and initiatives. 

What is your favorite part about working at the College of Education?

I love how passionate everyone is in their respective missions. I am enjoying having the opportunity to infuse technology into the wants and needs of my wildly talented colleagues to make their goals a reality. 

What's your favorite memory as a Hawkeye? 

Visiting my niece at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital shortly after she was born and being on the receiving end of the Hawkeye Wave with my family was truly something special. 

What are your hobbies, interests, or special talents? What would colleagues be surprised to know about you?

In the warmer months, I am around water most weekends in the form of swimming, fishing, and kayaking. I also enjoy hiking, volleyball, and golfing – the latter of which results in my annual handlebar mustache. Every fall, you can expect my mustache to get longer as I prepare for an annual "old timey" golf outing with friends, replete with knickerbockers and newsboy caps. 

Where is your favorite place to eat in downtown Iowa City? 

I often grab a bite from my closest option while running around campus, so I rarely play favorites. If I have time, you may catch me at Bread Garden ordering a custom burrito the size of my head. 

What is something on campus that you look forward to participating in or doing?

I hope to get my kids out to the Van Allen Observatory for an evening showing soon. 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? 

I am slowly learning Japanese, so it would be great to visit Japan someday. 

What book, movie, or TV show has been keeping your attention lately? 

I just started to read The Stormlight Archive from Brandon Sanderson. It’s 6,000+ pages across five books, so I’ll let you know how it is when I finish in 2027. 

Visit the Celebrating College of Education staff page to nominate a colleague. Self nominations are also welcome.