Austin Thaldorf-Huelsbeck
Systems administrator with over four years of experience managing hybrid Windows and Linux environments in higher education. My work centers on identity and access management, infrastructure automation, and CI/CD. These are the systems that let thousands of students, staff, and alumni access what they need without thinking about the plumbing behind it.
Day-to-day, I work across Active Directory, Entra ID, and Google Workspace on the identity side; Ansible, Jenkins, and SCCM on the automation side; and PowerShell, Python, Bash, and Groovy on the programming side. I have led migrations of Linux servers, Windows servers, and SQL servers, along with data migrations across identity platforms and third-party apps like CRM and ERP. I deployed the current Graylog SIEM covering syslog and Winlogbeat across the environment, and stood up patching, provisioning, and monitoring workflows that were previously manual.
I approach infrastructure as a craft. When it is built well, it stays out of the way. Every small decision compounds into a reliable system.
Journey
- 2010
IT Work Study, George Fox University
First formal IT role. Help desk support, classroom A/V installation and operation, and faculty training.
- 2013
B.A. Cinema & Media Communications, George Fox University
Audio Engineering concentration, Mathematics minor.
- 2018
Self-taught programming
Started with Python, then picked up JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to build websites for the musicians and small businesses I worked with. What began as a way to help friends became a career direction.
- 2021
Software Engineering Certificate, Thinkful Academy
Intensive full-stack program in Node.js, React, and PostgreSQL. The foundation for later automation and infrastructure-as-code work.
- 2022
IT Support Specialist, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology
Established security policies that doubled the institution's external security-audit score, and authored comprehensive documentation across account management systems and procedures.
- 2023
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Comprehensive certification covering TCP/IP, networking, security, hardware troubleshooting, and systems administration.
- 2023
Systems Administrator, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology
Built the automation stack behind hybrid identity operations. Implemented SSO, piloted self-service password reset, and developed a Python CLI that eliminated 90% of manual account administration effort.
- 2025
Systems Administrator, Asbury Theological Seminary
Manage hybrid identity for approximately 15,000 accounts. Modernized the CI/CD platform on Jenkins, standardized Linux provisioning under Ansible, and rebuilt SCCM patching for the Windows fleet.
Creative & technical pursuits
I have always been drawn to projects that allow creative expression with technical precision.
Over the past six years, I have been able to manifest exactly that type of project alongside my wife Emily, through running a wedding videography business together. It has been an amazing way to stay connected with my filmmaking background, and challenge myself to grow and learn, while actually building something meaningful with my wife.
The client work in particular has taught me a lot about maintaining professionalism even under tight deadlines and in stressful situations, and these skills have served me incredibly well as I have transitioned into IT.
Before that, I spent about 5 years in Nashville's music scene, making records and touring in various bands. My degree was in audio engineering, and in college I had gotten the chance to dive deep into the technical side of sound. These days I'm more likely to be tinkering with code than plugin settings, but I have been surprised by just how well that foundation in problem-solving and attention to detail carries over.
Strategic thinking & problem solving
Honestly, Magic: The Gathering is a fundamental part of my personality. I've been playing for more than twenty years, and it is the best ongoing education in analytical thinking I've ever received.
What I love most about the game is all the layered components, each with challenging decisions to make along the way, which add up to form incremental advantages. There's a constant calculation required to understand your advantages and weaknesses, your outs and your odds, while navigating complex interactions.
Nowadays, I'm drawn almost exclusively to limited formats like draft and sealed. Unlike constructed play which requires memorizing cards and their obscure interactions, limited rewards the player's adaptability to a greater degree.
Life outside of work
When we're not at a wedding, Emily and I love spending time together playing Stardew Valley, working through a good series, or just spoiling our little chihuahua and Siamese cat.
Moving to a new city has already been an adventure, and we are working on discovering our favorite spots in Lexington.
Experience
Asbury Theological Seminary
Systems Administrator- Administer hybrid identity for approximately 15,000 accounts across on-prem Active Directory, Entra ID, and Google Workspace, including automated UPN and MFA synchronization.
- Led migration of the institution's Jenkins CI/CD platform to a segmented three-server architecture.
- Built and maintain approximately 15 Jenkins automation pipelines integrating SIS, CRM, LMS, ERP, and identity systems using PowerShell, Python, and Groovy.
- Standardized Linux server provisioning under Ansible with version-controlled configuration in Git and Gitolite, running against a growing production inventory (currently seven Debian hosts).
- Manage the Windows server and workstation fleet (approximately 50 VMs) under SCCM, including patching, imaging, and compliance.
- Deployed the current Graylog SIEM covering syslog and Winlogbeat across the environment.
- Rebuilt SCCM patch management into a reliable automated patching workflow and rolled out Microsoft Defender for Endpoint across the server fleet.
The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology
Systems Administrator- Implemented SSO integration between educational and identity systems and piloted self-service password reset, improving access accuracy and user experience.
- Developed PowerShell automation scripts for account provisioning, reporting, and patch management, and deployed workstation images and security updates across campus infrastructure.
- Developed a Python CLI application automating user account administration across all hybrid identity systems and external integrations, eliminating 90% of manual account management effort.
The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology
IT Support Specialist- Established security policies that improved the institution's external security-audit score by 2x.
- Authored comprehensive documentation for account management systems, procedures, and configurations.
- Resolved help-desk requests for account access, authentication, and endpoint support while upholding FERPA and data privacy standards.
George Fox University
IT Support Specialist / Media Production Specialist- Managed account access for the university community through the help desk system.
- Installed and operated classroom A/V systems, and trained faculty on their use.
Also building websites on the side as an independent freelancer since 2020.
Education
George Fox University
B.A. Cinema & Media CommunicationsConcentration: Audio Engineering
Minor: Mathematics
Coursework: Computer Science Fundamentals 1 and 2, Calculus 2 and 3, Introduction to Mathematical Proofs, Probability, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis.
Thinkful Academy
Certificate, Software EngineeringFull-stack program covering Node.js, React, PostgreSQL, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
IT Support Professional CertificateFocused on network protocols, cloud computing, system administration, and security.
Ready to work together?
I'm currently seeking engaging new opportunities where I can apply my technical expertise to solve your next challenges.