Behind the Screens: IT@ND

About 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.

Publisher

Andy Jonatzke

Category

technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Sept 2024

Latest episode

11 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

31 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Sept 2026

   Why Great IT Partnerships Start With Shared Empathy

   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 consultants can be trusted advisors, why partnership matters more than ticket resolution, and how change, adaptability, and empathy shape strong service across campus. Key topics Jeff explains how his Notre Dame path started long before campus, with early tech jobs at companies tied to Notre Dame alumni and faculty. He walks through 13 years in the development office, where the work grew from break-fix support into software implementations, Okta integrations, data mapping, vendor work, and access management. Jeff describes earning his ServiceNow administrator certification and leading a workflow project for separation processes. He shares early work with Isaac on SCCM imaging and task sequences, which sparked interest in that side of IT. The conversation explores what changed when development moved away from the OIT partnership model in 2019, including a sense of isolation and being disconnected from broader OIT communication. Jeff explains what he learned from working within a business unit: relationship-building, understanding the division’s mission, and anticipating technology needs before they become urgent. He describes returning to OIT in 2024 as part of the Gold Team and how it felt like a homecoming. Jeff shares what supporting Notre Dame Research looks like in practice, including walking across campus, working with specialized equipment, handling compliance concerns, and coordinating with vendors. The discussion highlights unique research support challenges, such as microscopes, controlled unclassified information, and zebrafish monitoring systems, associated with sensitive scientific work. Jeff reflects on the value of the partnership model as shared advocacy, continuity, and empathy rather than simple break-fix support. He talks about his recent promotion to EIC 3 and team lead, and how he wants to lead with curiosity, empathy, and an understanding that people need different kinds of support. Jeff also shares that he is pursuing a master’s in nonprofit administration and sees it as another way to better understand the university and grow his impact. About this podcast: Behind the Screens: IT@ND is a podcast based out of the University of Notre Dame, where hosts Scott Russell (IT Director for the College of Arts & Letters) and Diana Garcia (IT Support Technician: Service Desk) 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. With this podcast, not only will you learn how technology professionals at Notre Dame help shape and support the future of the University, but you'll also get helpful insights and strategies to help you stay ahead.

2. 

   17 Aug 2026

   The Service Desk Is No Longer Just Password Resets - Here's Why

   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 Library, procurement, and even global locations, this conversation shows how the team is meeting students, faculty, and staff where they are. You’ll hear how a 30-person support operation stays flexible, why every technician is now trained across both sides of the house, and what it takes to keep one team unified while working from multiple locations.Mike shares how the Service Desk evolved from a traditional help desk into a campus-wide support hub, while Hannah brings a fresh perspective on change, collaboration, and the realities of modern university IT. Together, they break down: What field services actually do on campus How operations keep CWP imaging, phones, chats, walk-up support, and device lifecycle management moving Why the Mendoza partnership is freeing up more strategic work for college IT teams How AI, ServiceNow, Now Assist, and DEX may streamline the future without replacing the human side of service What’s changing in asset remediation, security, and back-to-school support They also get honest about the biggest challenges, from printing chaos to working across two physical locations, and why the team’s culture depends on communication, flexibility, and a lot of trust. If you want a real look at how university IT support is evolving, this episode is packed with practical insights, leadership lessons, and a few unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories. About this podcast: Behind the Screens: IT@ND is a podcast based out of the University of Notre Dame, where hosts Scott Russell (IT Director for the College of Arts & Letters) and Diana Garcia (IT Support Technician: Service Desk) 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. With this podcast, not only will you learn how technology professionals at Notre Dame help shape and support the future of the University, but you'll also get helpful insights and strategies to help you stay ahead.

3. 

   23 Jun 2026

   The Hidden Challenges of Scaling University IT Across Continents

   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 leadership, from law firms to Notre Dame Strategies for supporting a globally distributed university campus Building cultural intelligence into IT services and infrastructure Opportunities and challenges of leading international IT teams remotely The role of AI, security, and innovative tech in enhancing global collaboration The importance of relationships and leadership philosophy in a global organization Future vision: standardizing experiences across campuses and expanding IT initiatives Fun rapid-fire tech questions and Notre Dame’s global impact In this episode: Loris shares his career path from IBM to Notre Dame and his international experience Discussion on designing localized IT services sensitive to cultural nuances Insights on managing remote teams across different time zones and cultural contexts The exciting potential of AI and security protocols in international research The importance of relationship-building and leadership in complex global structures Notre Dame’s strategic plans for supporting global locations like London, Dublin, and Beijing Fun quiz: What modern technology was developed for drivers and now powers smartphones? GPS! About this podcast: Behind the Screens: IT@ND is a podcast based out of the University of Notre Dame, where hosts Scott Russell (IT Director for the College of Arts & Letters) and Diana Garcia (IT Support Technician: Service Desk) 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. With this podcast, not only will you learn how technology professionals at Notre Dame help shape and support the future of the University, but you'll also get helpful insights and strategies to help you stay ahead.

Who has been a guest on Behind the Screens: IT@ND

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Jane Livingston
• Diana Garcia
• Jennifer Parker

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

39

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Behind the Screens: IT@ND

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.