Organizations often have a department that becomes a target of blame when problems arise. At Missouri S&T, Information Technology (IT) frequently fills this role. Employees may wish for perfect technology delivered promptly without constraints, but this ideal scenario doesn’t reflect reality. Like other departments, IT operates within limitations of policy, investment, and capability. The department works with finite resources in money, personnel, and time to achieve the best results possible for the institution.

IT is often viewed as an obstacle, but really, we are a group of dedicated individuals who embrace the university’s mission with a goal of enabling collective future goals.

Meet Chris Bucher

A vital part of Missouri S&T’s IT department since 2011, Chris Bucher has worked in several roles like desktop support, asset management, systems engineering and desktop engineering. His journey into IT, however, began much earlier as a work-study student in 2005. What started as an accidental switch from a lab monitor role to a tech position has blossomed into a career spanning nearly two decades at S&T.

Today, Bucher’s group is responsible for critical IT functions, including Apps Anywhere, virtual desktop, Windows and Mac OS updates, software delivery and desktop engineering. As an expert systems support administrator, he leads a team of three full-time staff members and six student workers, overseeing the infrastructure behind the computers – both software and operating systems.

One of the most challenging aspects of his role is maintaining a delicate balance between security and functionality. “We’re tasked with the impossible,” he says. “We have to consider all the things going on – the research and instructional functions – while maintaining security, software updates and compliance.”

This balancing act extends to bridging the gap between complete freedom and a locked-down environment, all while ensuring a secure and functional setting that meets the requirements for grants and federal and state governments. Bucher takes pride in finding solutions that satisfy both security needs and campus requirements, often achieving what seems impossible.

During his tenure, Bucher has witnessed significant changes in technology use on campus. “Faculty and staff have gone from desktops to laptops and phones. Workflows have shifted from a stationary point of view to a mobile point of view,” he notes. This shift has been particularly pronounced among younger users, with a trend towards mobile developments and fewer traditional laptops and desktops.

Bucher emphasizes the collaborative nature of IT work at S&T. “A common misconception is that there’s just one person saving the day,” he says. “In reality, there are a lot more people behind the scenes than those you see and talk to at the Help Desk. The Help Desk and desktop support teams are supported by other teams in IT. We all work as a team to solve problems.”

This teamwork is crucial in addressing the diverse and complex technological needs of the campus community. Bucher and his colleagues strive to find ways to make things happen, even when faced with seemingly impossible tasks.

He is currently working on a project to address one of the campus’s big pain points – administrative rights. He’s investigating solutions with vendors to grant rights where appropriate, focusing on isolated uses to limit security issues.

Looking to the future, Bucher envisions an IT department at Missouri S&T that’s fully staffed with the right skill sets. “We have a deficit of skills currently. My goal is to create a team that supports the infrastructure we have and builds the infrastructure we want,” he explains. He aims to unify the department’s efforts towards satisfying campus needs and moving forward strategically.

Outside of work, Bucher is an enthusiast of video games and tabletop board games, particularly enjoying Euro-style games like Catan and 7 Wonders. He also has a passion for building custom computers, even crafting handmade cases. His creative side extends to steampunk-inspired projects and attending festivals with props he creates. He also cherishes spending time with his family, often involving them in his gaming sessions and creative projects.

From a work-study student to a key figure in S&T’s IT department, Chris Bucher exemplifies the dedication and adaptability required in the ever-evolving world of technology. His commitment to balancing security with functionality, coupled with his vision for a more robust IT team, continues to drive technological progress at Missouri S&T.