Behind the Screens: IT@ND

Behind the Screens: IT@ND

Behind the Screens: IT@ND Welcome to Behind the Screens: IT@ND, the University of Notre Dame podcast where hosts Scott Russell (IT Director for the College of Arts & Letters) and Krista Moats (Manager, IT Communications and Marketing: Office of Information Technology) give you a behind-the-scenes look at what IT consultancy is all about. Whether you're deep in the IT world or just curious about how technology powers a university, this podcast is for you. Each episode gives insight into Information Technology at Notre Dame — with focus on how IT consultants support the University, breaking down the challenges they face and the innovative solutions they create. From interviews with experts driving key campus projects to practical tips for making the most of your tech, this podcast explains how IT teams work behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly across campus. Behind the Screens: IT@ND delivers insights and strategies to help you stay ahead. Tune in and discover how technology professionals shape and support the University’s tech operations.

Episodes

September 8, 2025 66 mins
Summary
In this episode of Behind the Screens, the team takes you inside the hustle and excitement of Notre Dame’s back-to-school season. From tackling service desk challenges to celebrating big wins, they pull back the curtain on what it takes to keep campus running smoothly during one of the busiest times of the year. You’ll hear eye-opening metrics from the reimagined service desk, discover the unique role of Hall Walkers, and le...
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This episode of "Behind the Screens IT@ND" features a conversation with Tracy Weber, Assistant VP of Enterprise Solutions and Delivery, and Jami Radcliffe, Enterprise CRM Administrator, both from the University of Notre Dame's Office of Information Technologies (OIT). The discussion focuses on the implementation and strategic importance of an enterprise-wide Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, specifically Salesforce, at...
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In this episode of Behind the Screens, the hosts Scott and Diana engage with Clay Berkley and Gwen Hagey-Shirk, senior IT solutions specialists at Notre Dame. They discuss their extensive experience in IT, the structure of their team, and the diverse challenges they face in supporting faculty, staff, and students. The conversation delves into the dynamics of IT consultancy, the tools they use, and the unique support issues they enc...
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In this episode of 'Behind the Screens,' we delve into the world of IT consultancy at Notre Dame with Mark Schult. Mark shares his journey from technician to consultant, highlighting the importance of collaboration within his small team that supports over 160,000 alumni. The conversation explores the unique challenges faced in alumni support, the innovative solutions implemented for events, and the significance of project managemen...
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"Behind the Screens IT at ND: Episode 16" features hosts Diana and Scooter, who welcome Rose Michalski, IT Support Services Associate Program Director, and Andrew Yocum, Associate Director of Integration Services, from the University of Notre Dame's Development Office IT and Services Team. This episode delves into the unique IT landscape of the Development Office, which supports over 400 employees across 58 teams and operates as a ...
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This podcast episode features an interview with Jane Livingston, Vice President and Chief Information Officer for the University of Notre Dame, discussing her leadership philosophy of "people first, technology second." She reflects on fostering trust and a collaborative culture within Notre Dame's IT community, contrasting it with a prior "command and control" approach. Livingston emphasizes empowering staff through "headroom" for ...
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In this episode of Behind the Screens, the team welcomes Diana Garcia, a new IT support technician, who shares her journey from studying neuroscience to working in IT. The conversation explores her experiences at the service desk, the confidence she has gained in her new role, and her advice for students considering career pivots. Krista announces her transition to co-leading an employee resource group, while reflecting on the rela...
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In this episode of Behind the Screens IT at ND, hosts Scooter and Krista welcome Jennifer Parker, a Senior CWP Specialist, to discuss the Campus Workstation Program (CWP) at the University of Notre Dame. Jennifer shares insights into her role, the program's eligibility criteria, and the importance of technology in enhancing productivity and security. The conversation delves into team dynamics, daily operations, inventory management...
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Behind the Screens: IT@ND welcomes Abdikhaaliq Osman, IT Solutions Coordinator for the University of Notre Dame London campus. Osman provides insights into his role supporting the London location, which he describes as equivalent to second-line support with additional coordination and local vendor management responsibilities. He discusses the small team size in London and the goal for full staffing.

Learn about the challenges of sup...
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In this episode of Behind the Screens: IT@ND, we sit down with LeeSonn Smith, an IT Solutions Consultant from OIT’s Enhanced Technology Partnerships (ETP) group. LeeSonn shares his inspiring journey—from early influences by his father and experiences at the Apple Store to joining Notre Dame five and a half years ago and advancing into his current role two years ago.
As an IT Partnerships - Gold team member, LeeSonn and a team of 8 s...
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In this episode of Behind the Screens: IT at ND, hosts Krista and Scooter sit down with Lauren Ajamie, a Senior Identity and Access Management Solutions Analyst, to explore her unique career path—from studying Greek, Latin, and library science to becoming a key player in Notre Dame’s cybersecurity landscape.
After a quick update for the IT Consultancy Community of Practice, the conversation dives into the world of secure access. Lau...
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This episode of Behind the Screens IT at ND welcomes Sergio Cerda, IT solutions specialist team lead for the Keough School of Global Affairs.  The conversation explores Sergio's journey into IT consultancy at the University of Notre Dame, contrasting his experiences in the private sector with Notre Dame's mission-driven environment. The episode delves into the structure of the IT team at the Keough School and Sergio's role as team ...
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The "Behind the Screens IT at ND" podcast episode features a conversation with Chris Gillis, director of the service desk at the University of Notre Dame. The discussion explores the service desk's evolution from the traditional help desk, including its rebranding and expansion of services. The aim is to move beyond reactive help to a more proactive, ITIL service desk model. Key topics include combining teams, offering an "Apple st...
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"Behind the Screens IT at ND" is a podcast from the University of Notre Dame exploring the world of IT solutions consultants. The episode features Hank G., an IT consultant from the Mendoza College of Business, who discusses his team's structure, responsibilities, and the support they provide to faculty, staff, and graduate students. Hank highlights the importance of cross-training, leveraging campus partnerships, and the white-glo...
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This episode from "Behind the Screens: IT at ND features a discussion on the integration of AI at the University of Notre Dame. Alexi Orchard, Brandon Rich, and Steve Cohen share their experiences and perspectives on AI's current and future applications. The conversation highlights both the excitement and apprehension surrounding AI, exploring its potential benefits and ethical concerns. Specific use cases in HR, teaching, and IT a...
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This podcast episode features an interview with Shawn Deweerd, a video engineer at Notre Dame, who discusses his work supporting live broadcasts of various university events, primarily athletic competitions. He details the complexities of his role, including managing a vast network of equipment and fiber connections and troubleshooting technical issues. The conversation also explores the increasing use of AI in broadcast technology...
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This podcast episode of "Behind the Screens: IT@ND" features interviews with two University of Notre Dame IT professionals, Elizabeth Zickgraf and Tracy Fronk. Elizabeth discusses her career progression, the university's IT fellows program designed to address workforce aging and attract new talent, and OIT's initiatives to foster employee engagement and professional development. Tracy shares her experience transitioning roles withi...
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Ever wondered what it takes to keep IT running smoothly across Notre Dame’s athletics programs? Join hosts Krista and Scooter as they dive into the dynamic world of Athletics IT with Tracy Fronk, IT Solutions Specialist. Tracy reveals the inner workings of supporting 26 varsity sports, from managing game-day tech and mobile ticketing to providing critical support for sports performance and sports medicine. With hundreds of applicat...
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Welcome to Behind the Screens: IT@ND, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the IT solutions consultants at the University of Notre Dame. Hosted by Krista, Manager of IT Marketing & Communications in OIT, and Scooter, Director of Information Technology for the College of Arts & Letters, we explore the challenges faced by IT teams, the innovative solutions they create, and practical tech tips to help you make the m...
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In this debut episode of Behind the Screens: IT@ND, hosts Krista and Scooter sit down with Andy and Dan. They discuss the critical role of IT consultancy at Notre Dame, revealing how consultants serve as trusted advisors to various campus departments. Andy shares insights into IT consultants' everyday challenges, innovative problem-solving techniques, and how consulting ties into the university’s broader IT strategy. Dan gives us a...
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