UIT Leadership Spotlight: Peter Hemingway, manager, Class & Event Support Services, Digital Learning Technologies

Where are you from originally?

I am from Sandy, Utah. I currently live in Salt Lake City, but I have also lived in a few other places out West.

What post-secondary degrees or certifications do you have, in what subjects, and from which schools?

I have a Bachelor of Science in mass communication from the University of Utah.

What led you to the University of Utah?

I was working for a marketing company out of college; it was fine, but I missed being on campus. I felt like I went from student life to the movie “Office Space,” so I looked for a position at the U and became the technical coordinator for the old Instructional Media Services group. I later moved to Missoula, Montana, for a few years, and when I returned, my old supervisor’s role had opened up, so I applied and got the job. Over the years, that role evolved, and then during the COVID-19 pandemic, I became the manager for Class & Event Support Services in Digital Learning Technologies.

Can you describe the path you took to IT leadership?

Honestly, the path was just sticking with it through the struggles of the COVID era and everything life threw at me (and everyone) during that time. I was the supervisor for Video Services when the Equipment Services supervisor moved on to another career. So my amazing boss, Adam Stewart, and I kind of combined Equipment Services and Video Services to make one group that is the Swiss Army knife of Digital Learning Technologies.

How would you describe your leadership style and/or philosophy?

I am really laid back and pretty shy, so I do not speak for the most part unless I am spoken to. I try to prepare my staff as best I can, and if they need more assistance, I will happily help, but I trust them. They are amazing people; I trusted my gut in hiring them, so I trust that they are more than capable of doing the tasks we ask of them.

What do you enjoy most about your role at the U?

I love campus. It’s beautiful. I was basically born a Utah football and basketball fan. My parents were the original tailgaters (Utah by 5), and I have a photo of them tailgating when my mother was pregnant with me, so I feel like it shaped my love for the campus community. After I received my degree, I felt like I wanted to be on campus more or working with campus more. At times, I feel the buzz and excitement of being a student; luckily, I do not have to do the class assignments.

What do you find most challenging about your job?

Sometimes the simplest events are the most challenging to coordinate and schedule, but when they go well, it’s an amazing feeling. I love seeing my staff succeed. Not only for the university and our department, but I feel real pride when they do well.

What are some of your hobbies?

I love camping and rafting. I enjoy skiing and am starting to enjoy hiking again. I used to play a lot of soccer, but thanks to some mistakes as a younger soccer player, I do not have the knees for it anymore. I am also a huge fan of Utah football and love tailgating and going to the games (home and away). I am a massive England National Team and Tottenham Hotspur fan. I really enjoy watching Tottenham matches with the Salt Lake Spurs supporters group.

Is there a fun fact about yourself that you’d like to share?

I am a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and the USA. I hope to one day move to the U.K. to be closer to my family there.

Is there anything else that you think our readers would like to know about you?

I may manage the staff, but I could not do it without support from Adam Stewart and Joe Barndt, in addition to the wonderful staff we have. The technical support staff are some of the best people you will find on campus, and they may not get the credit, but to me, they are what keeps this campus going.

 

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