Clif Woods joined the chemistry faculty at UT in 1974 in inorganic chemistry, with a research interest in platinum and copper complexes. He earned the BS with majors in chemistry and mathematics from North Carolina Central University in 1966. He earned his MS and PhD degrees in chemistry from North Carolina State University. At UT, Woods served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, associate provost for academic affairs, interim provost, associate vice chancellor, vice chancellor for research, and associate to the chancellor. He was the first African American vice chancellor at UT Knoxville, becoming vice chancellor for research in 2004. As associate to the chancellor, a post he assumed in 2006, he was charged with establishing the Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment, managing the Science Alliance, and assisting to increase the number of students attending UT from underrepresented populations. In 2019, the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences inducted Woods into the Educators Hall of Honor. Currently, Woods is professor emeritus, department of Chemistry, and associate vice chancellor.