Buying back time: Meet Segun Onilude, WCTC’s first AI project manager

“How can I help this person buy back time and do what they really need to spend their time doing? I want to help people find ways to make good use of their time.” -- Segun Onilude, WCTC AI project manager

While Waukesha County Technical College has been rapidly launching academic programs in artificial intelligence and developing training sessions for the business community, WCTC is also turning that lens inward, ensuring its employees are using these vital tech tools as well. 

Last month, Segun Onilude joined WCTC as the College’s first AI project manager. His mission is to help faculty and staff harness AI to work smarter; simplify complicated workflows, projects and tasks; and ultimately, free up time to allow them to do more of the rewarding work they enjoy.

“How can I help this person buy back time and do what they really need to spend their time doing? I want to help people find ways to make good use of their time,” Onilude said. “We are trying to help everybody – if that’s admissions or marketing or finance -- do their job more efficiently.”

Early passion for information technology

Onilude’s journey to WCTC began in Nigeria, where his curiosity with information technology was sparked after his mentor, the owner of a computer training center, saw his commitment to and aptitude for IT; he nurtured Onilude’s interest and taught him programming for free. Onilude then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Tai Solarin University of Education, followed by IT jobs as a software developer, software engineer, technical product specialist and technical product manager. After several years of work, he moved to the United States to gain a global perspective and earn a master’s degree in Information Systems from East Tennessee State University (ETSU).

It was during his time at ETSU that he developed a passion beyond coding and became interested in the intersection of technology and the people who use it. Onilude and a few classmates developed an easy-to-use AI-based system (called NEX) designed to handle routine student inquiries. By automating common questions using simple, code-free tools like Google Docs, he saved faculty hours of work – allowing them to focus on more meaningful aspects of their job.

"When we were building, we built it with empathy," Onilude said. "Our question was: how do we do this in a way so nontechnical users are able to interact with it?"

Determining employees’ and departments’ needs

Now, Onilude brings that same forward-thinking philosophy to WCTC -- with the AI user and their technical concerns in mind. He functions as a strategic partner for faculty and staff, acting as a guide through the rapidly changing world of AI. Initially, Onilude aims to support professional development by reskilling workers and equipping them with tools to handle monotonous tasks inherent to the modern office. 

“I want to help by partnering with different units in the College, determine some of the problems I may be able to solve for them and walk them through the project phase,” he said. He is currently reviewing results from an assessment with the intent to evaluate where staff members are in terms of current AI usage. These insights will help him design custom solutions and professional development programs tailored to how employees actually use AI within their unique roles.

WCTC Chief of Staff Laura Krohn notes this people-first strategy will have a positive effect College-wide.

“We are fortunate to have Segun on our team, leading AI implementation projects across the College for staff and faculty,” she said. “His expertise and thoughtful approach to designing and building AI solutions for higher education will help transform our operations and enhance our services to students and the community.”

Onilude said he is eager to engage with many different people and departments on campus to keep pace with the College’s future-forward aims and develop problem-solving systems that have direct impact.

“The vision is broad, especially as we do things internally, and I’m happy to work in an environment where we are figuring things out together,” Onilude said. “I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of an institution that is paving the way.”