Biography

Matthew Clay
Assistant CIO for Academic Technology | Minnesota State University, Mankato

With over 23 years of experience at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Matthew Clay has been a driving force behind the advancement of academic technology across campus. Throughout his career, Matthew has held various pivotal roles, demonstrating his leadership and expertise in aligning IT strategies with the needs of academic programs. His contributions include creating and leading the Technology Director Team, which focuses on fostering relationships and ensuring IT is fully integrated with all areas of the university.

Under Matthew’s leadership, the Learning Spaces team has designed and installed more than 300 learning environments, both formal and informal. Most notably, during the pandemic, his team swiftly adapted over 240 classrooms into HyFlex spaces, ensuring minimal disruption to learning despite restricted campus access.

Currently, Matthew is leading new AI initiatives aimed at creating positive faculty experiences while helping the university navigate the evolving expectations of AI in both education and the workplace. His team, composed of instructional designers, LMS administrators, learning space engineers, data scientists, and video streaming experts, collaborates across the institution to foster innovation in teaching and learning.

As one of the co-leaders of the university's Center for Excellence and Innovation, Matthew works in tandem with Academic Affairs and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) to offer campus-wide professional development programs. He also partners closely with faculty to design cutting-edge, face-to-face teaching environments and develop blended and flipped course models.