Behind the Screens: IT@ND

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...

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—...

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 t...

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 wif...

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 stewardshi...

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 t...

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 la...

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 spi...

🎙️ 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 students,...

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...

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)...

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...

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 th...

"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...

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 empow...

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...

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, dai...

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 staffin...

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 te...

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...

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 Keoug...

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 com...

"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 cam...

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...

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 increasin...