When Bobby Goff talks about information systems, he doesn’t start with hardware or software. He starts with service.

As director of information systems for Mississippi State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Goff leads the team responsible for keeping the technology behind the college’s teaching, research and clinical care running smoothly. His team of seven manage everything from classroom computers to hospital systems that directly affect patient care.

“I consider us a service center,” Goff said. “If we do our job well, it allows students to learn, faculty to teach and conduct research, and clinicians to focus on patient care.”

A native of Madison, Goff has spent his entire professional career at MSU. After graduating from Madison Central High School, he enrolled at MSU and earned a 2006 degree in business administration with a concentration in information systems.

He then went straight to work.

“I graduated on a Saturday and started the following Monday,” Goff said.

Goff’s career began as a student worker at MSU Libraries, where he gained experience in desktop and server support before moving into web programming. From there, he worked in Academic Outreach and Continuing Education and later for the MSU Extension Service, where he led a team of web developers and IT professionals.

At Extension, Goff’s work spanned a wide range of projects. He worked on public-facing websites and mobile apps. He also built custom systems that supported 4‑H programs, agricultural research and statewide events like the Dixie National Livestock Show.

“That role exposed me to a lot of different systems and workflows,” he said. “It helped shape how I think about technology as a tool that should make people’s jobs easier.”

Goff joined CVM in 2025 and now oversees information systems supporting more than 1,000 users across multiple locations. His team maintains approximately 1,000 computers and a network of servers that support veterinary hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and research facilities across the state, including locations in Starkville, Flowood, Pearl, the Mississippi Delta and the Gulf Coast. And, these systems are tightly integrated, allowing clinicians to access information quickly and accurately.

“It’s a complex environment,” Goff said. “Downtime doesn’t just mean inconvenience; it can affect patient care and revenue. Reliability is critical.”

Goff’s interest in computers began early. He built his first computer at around age 13, long before online tutorials were commonplace.

“At the time, you learned by reading manuals, talking to people and figuring things out,” he said. “That trial‑and‑error mindset has stayed with me.”

He landed his first IT job at 16 doing desktop support at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, and he’s worked in the field ever since.

“You never quit learning in this profession,” Goff said. “Technology changes constantly, so you have to stay immersed in it.”

Today, that includes emerging tools like artificial intelligence. Goff encourages his team not just to adopt new technologies, but to understand how to use them effectively.

“A tool is only useful if you know how to use it,” he said.

As a leader, Goff emphasizes customer service, documentation, workflow efficiency and long‑term planning. 

“We’re always asking, ‘Can this process be simplified?’” he said. “If technology can turn seven steps into two, that’s a win.”

Outside of work, Goff lives in Sturgis with his wife Jessie, a high school teacher, and their two sons. He also volunteers as assistant chief of the Sturgis Fire Department, where he has served for nearly 20 years.

“It’s about helping your neighbors,” Goff said. “When you need help, you want someone to show up. This is my way of giving back.”

After two decades at Mississippi State, Goff said his commitment to the university remains strong.

“This place feels like home,” he said. “I’m proud to support the work being done here and to help keep everything running behind the scenes.”