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Behind the Screens: IT@ND

Behind the Screens: IT@ND

By: Andy Jonatzke
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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.
Copyright Andy Jonatzke
Episodes
  • London Calling: IT at the ND Global Gateway
    May 16 2025
    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 supporting a global gateway across time zones, including the ongoing effort to integrate with the service desk and utilize ticketing via ServiceNow. Discover the unique dynamic of supporting a revolving door of visiting faculty, staff, and students, alongside permanent residents like the law school faculty. Osman shares details about daily IT support, including proactive maintenance checks, and supporting classrooms and events on the campus's four floors.

    Hear about the tools and systems used, noting the local differences in printing services (PaperCut) and the network setup. Find out how preparation and planning help Osman avoid burnout in his busy, single-threaded role. Get a glimpse into the local flavor of central London.

    Plus, enjoy some fun facts as Osman talks about his interest in psychology, recommends a book ("The Midnight Library"), discusses a past career as a pharmacist, and shares a dream job swap. Stick around for the new "Did You Know Tech Edition" trivia segment.

    Notes: Video mentioned in the episode for student orientation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15VjyQRJUHi0Xopsl0xRkAzQjqwzAIpJ8/view?ts=68276c55

    About this podcast:
    Behind the Screens: IT@ND is a podcast based out of 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.

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Building IT Partnerships: A Conversation with LeeSonn Smith
    May 4 2025
    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 support 16 departments, including Enrollment, the Graduate School, and campus museums, serving as a “one-stop shop” for IT needs. His work ranges from day-to-day support to major initiatives like deploying iPads for campus tours. LeeSonn offers a glimpse into how he manages time effectively across departments using office hours, ServiceNow, MECM, Jamf Pro, and the new Flow Code platform.
    We also dive into the launch of the new IT Consultancy Community of Practice—a collaborative effort designed to define the consultant role and create a space for sharing strategies and best practices, with the inaugural meeting on May 8th spotlighting budget considerations.
    Beyond IT, LeeSonn reveals his musical roots, with a background in music education and a passion for playing the flute. Tune in to hear how his diverse skills and experiences continue to shape his approach to IT consulting at Notre Dame.

    About this podcast:
    Behind the Screens: IT@ND is a podcast based out of 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.

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Securing ND: Lauren Ajamie on 1Password and Trusted Access
    Apr 15 2025
    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. Lauren unpacks the power of One Password, the campus-wide password manager, spotlighting its secure storage, autofill features, breach alerts, MFA support, and shared vaults for teams and families. The crew also tackles the growing need to ditch SMS-based multifactor authentication in favor of stronger options like Okta Verify and the seamless, passwordless experience of Okta FastPass.
    Lauren demystifies the broader field of Identity and Access Management (IAM), explaining how authentication, authorization, and provisioning work together behind the scenes. She also previews what’s coming next through the Trusted Access initiative—ND’s approach to smarter, more dynamic security.
    Wrapping up on a personal note, the episode closes with “Consultant Quirks,” where Lauren shares book recommendations and a few of her favorite things beyond the screen.

    About this podcast:
    Behind the Screens: IT@ND is a podcast based out of 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.

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins

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