51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Chris Holthe is the Director of the Design Innovation (DI) Hub and Ecosystem at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, where he plays a key role in advancing the university’s broader vision for Design Innovation. He oversees the operations of the DI Hub, manages its staff and programming, and fosters a dynamic, collaborative environment that empowers students, faculty, and external partners to engage in interdisciplinary problem-solving. Additionally, Chris leads initiatives that connect and activate 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Design Innovation Ecosystem — a network of 20+ makerspaces and specialized labs—driving challenge-based innovation and experiential learning opportunities across the university.

With over a decade of experience in developing technology-driven spaces, programs, and services, Chris has led the creation and management of makerspaces, 3D printing labs, digital media studios, and extended reality labs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History and a master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as well as a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University. Prior to joining 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, he served as the Training and Maker Services Manager at the University of Houston and most recently as an Experiential Learning Librarian at Northern Arizona University.