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 11, 2026 • 39 mins
Behind the Screens: Jeff Faust on IT partnerships, research support, and leading with curiosity. This episode features Jeff Faust, IT Solutions Specialist and Team Lead of the Gold Team in IT partnerships supporting Notre Dame Research. He shares how his career moved from development to research, being a part of OIT, and being on the outside of OIT, and what that taught him about relationship-driven IT support. We discuss how IT co...
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Notre Dame’s Service Desk is no longer just the place you call when a password breaks. It’s becoming the front door to IT across campus, and Hannah Elliott and Mike Voss reveal how a reimagined support model is scaling faster, reaching farther, and changing what “help” looks like at the university.

From a new split between operations and field services to partnerships with Mendoza, the Hesburgh Librar...
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Discover how Notre Dame is expanding its international IT presence, strengthening partnerships, and embracing innovative technologies under the leadership of Loris Vicenanza. This episode offers insights into managing global teams, designing culturally aware IT services, and leveraging AI and security to foster a seamless international campus experience.

Main Topics:

  • The journey of Loris Vicenanza into global IT leade...
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Most campus tech upgrades are about to get a lot more expensive—and that's not all. Jen Parker reveals how supply chain chaos, chip shortages, and market disruptions are causing steep price hikes for university-provided computers, with increases of up to 60%. But amidst the chaos, clever pre-buy strategies and strategic vendor partnerships are helping Notre Dame save nearly half a million dollars—proving there's always ...
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March 24, 2026 • 44 mins
Most universities face the same question: how do we protect our data without turning our devices into Big Brother? Notre Dame’s new Device Care ND program offers a bold, holistic approach that balances security with user trust—revealing the secret sauce behind making campus devices safer, more efficient, and more user-friendly.

In this episode, Scooter sits down with Ryan Palmer and Kevin Strite to unpack how thi...
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This special holiday episode of Behind the Screens IT at ND features hosts Diana (IT support technician) and Scooter (Director of Information Technology for the College of Arts and Letters), along with producer Andy (IT Partnerships Manager), as they reflect on their favorite Christmas stories and traditions.

Scooter shares a funny, self-deprecating memory from when he first started dating his wife, mistaking purple-wrapped ...
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In this episode of "Behind the Screens IT at ND," hosts Diana and Scooter delve into the crucial strategic initiative of Data Storage Stewardship at the University of Notre Dame. They are joined by Cloud Collaboration Services team members Qi Wu, Lisa Torbin, and Jeff Crithlow, who offer an in-depth look at the upcoming changes to the university's online storage options.The core of the stewardship project is establishing sustainabl...
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In this episode of Behind the Screens, the hosts Scooter and Diana welcome guests Lauren Freda and Guadalupe Cisneros Ortega, who share their experiences in information security at the University of Notre Dame. They discuss the importance of cybersecurity awareness, the challenges faced in the field, and the initiatives taken during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The conversation also covers the transition into cybersecurity roles,...
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In this episode of Behind the Screens: IT at ND, host Scooter, Director of IT for the College of Arts and Letters, speaks with ArchIT team members Amelia Brubaker and Brock Burden about the unique challenges of providing embedded tech support within the University of Notre Dame’s School of Architecture. They discuss supporting students through their analog-to-digital workflows, managing complex large-format printing needs bot...
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In this episode of Behind the Screens: IT at ND, Diana and Scooter sit down with campus tech superheroes Beth Padgett and Neil Kovatch — the dynamic duo powering the tech behind Student Affairs at Notre Dame. With nearly 200 staff across 40+ buildings, Beth and Neil manage everything from the expected (laptops and logins) to the completely unexpected (X-ray machines and Peloton bikes 😮). From spinning up networks for Rec Spo...
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🎙️ Behind the Screens is back—and this time, we’re getting creative with Adobe! Join hosts Scooter and Diana as they chat with tech-savvy guests Steve Varela and Crystal DeJaegher from Notre Dame’s Teaching and Learning Technologies team.
They’re diving into the big changes coming to Adobe licenses on campus: ✨ what’s new (hello, Adobe Express!), what’s changing for faculty, staff, and studen...
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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...
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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 challenge...
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