Meet Chip Shank, the IT Lead who has been a part of the Department of Psychology since 1997. In addition to his main role supporting the department, Chip is also a part of MSU’s Research Cyberinfrastructure and is on SIRB, the Social Science’s Institutional Review Board. Read on to learn what Chip likes most about his job, how he describes himself, and more!
How did you end up at MSU Psychology?
During college, I was asked by a few departments to apply for an IT position as I was getting closer to graduation. I decided to apply, thinking I would work for a few years while my future wife finished her degree. I ended up getting the position here in the Department of Psychology. Thirteen years later, I decided to get my master's degree in computer science and engineering which I completed in 2015. And here I am – still here! I have two degrees and have been an employee of the university for a long time.
What does your job entail?
My main responsibilities are to work closely with department leadership to determine the direction of technology usage within the department and to lead the PSY IT team which supports the technology needs of the department. I have a direct reporting line to MSU IT, but also a dotted line to the department chair. In addition to that, I am a member of the Social Science Institutional Review Board (SIRB) which exists to protect human subjects involved in research here at MSU. I was asked to join the board as a data security specialist just as research was heavily expanding to the internet. I dedicate around 5-10% of my time to this role, another 5% to research technology needs across campus, and then the majority of my time is focused here, supporting the technology needs in the Department of Psychology.
What do you like about your job the most?
I enjoy building and creating things and solving problems, but I've found that I really like working with leadership in the department and the rest of the PSY IT staff. I’ve worked with 5 different department chairs over the years and while they are all different, they have all been focused on improving the department and I like being involved in the planning, the execution of those plans, and seeing the results of our team getting the work done. In 2018, the University ‘integrated’ all departmental IT members into the central MSU IT. Since that time, I have worked closely with the many departments within MSU IT and have developed very good working relationships with other MSU IT members. Some might find it surprising that I’ve chosen to remain focused on a single, albeit large, department rather than pursuing higher-level positions elsewhere, but I thrive on execution and results which have come regularly with the support myself and our team have always gotten from the department chairs here in Psychology.
How would you describe yourself?
I’d say that I’m social. I enjoy interacting, working, and communicating with people. My life revolves around my family, so relationships are a big part of my social life outside of work. I'm a coach and often host family dinners and organize group activities. I find the golf course is a good place to be social.
I’m always trying to improve. I set goals and create systems to achieve them. Things change, and it's important to adapt and grow.
I strive to keep an organized life, office, house, etc.... as best I can.
Could you give a snapshot of life for you outside of work?
As I said, my life revolves around my family. I’ve been married to my wife for 25 years and we have three kids with the youngest one a junior in high school. Coaching and following my daughter's sports takes up a lot of my time. I've been a basketball coach for about 10 years and a baseball coach for around 15 years. I'm currently on the varsity baseball staff. I’ve often found myself spending as much time at their school or sports complexes as I do at work. We also love hosting family events, cookouts, and larger gatherings like New Year's Eve and Christmas parties. We enjoy having people over and going out in big groups for dinners. We do what we can to keep everyone together. There are also seasons where I play the part of a handyman and enjoy remodeling projects. Vacationing is important to us, and we aim to take two or three big trips a year with the family. Oh, and I enjoy golfing! Fun fact: I used to reserve tee times under Chip Shank and multiple times I was asked if this was a prank.
Do you have a favorite project that you've worked on?
Yes, I have one project that really stands out on its own. In 1998 we decided to transition the Psychology Subject Pool from a paper system to an online system. That was my first large programming project, initially just called The SubjectPool, then later renamed The HPR System. I remember the day we launched the site, I was working in my old office in the basement of Snyder Hall. I made the site active around 3 AM. The HPR System grew to the point where seven or eight other universities were paying us to use the system. Years ago, the department chair at that time, Neal Schmitt, and I met with university officials to discuss the financial potential of expanding the system further. We determined that opportunity was not ideal, so we kept everything as it was. Sometime around 2015, we began to move the HPR System to the current system, SONA.
What are you reading these days?
Right now, I'm reading Atomic Habits. I read a lot of historical and business nonfiction. My library bookshelf is full of business leaders. I've read a lot of books by major CEOs to get their points of view and how they try to get better. I like to improve, and I like the business side, so I find those interesting.
What makes you proud to work at Michigan State’s Department of Psychology?
I’m always proud of the size of our department—the amount of faculty, the research and research dollars, the clinic, the number of impacted students. That makes me proud to be a part of it. The size of the department also requires a lot of IT support and has a variety of challenges and I’m proud that we handle all of that. I also feel proud in interacting daily with well-respected faculty, strong leaders, and high-quality staff members.