Eugene Willis
Eugene Willis Jr. | Higher Ed Helpdesk Tech | Application Analyst | Red Hat Enthusiast | Emcee | Creative Strategist | single sign-on
Comer, Georgia, United States
Actions
Eugene Willis Jr. is an Application Analyst, Red Hat Systems Administrator, and Helpdesk professional who built his career in tech from the ground up. Starting without a formal background, he worked his way from support roles into managing Red Hat systems and higher education applications. With degrees in Business and Marketing, Eugene blends technical expertise with creative strategy to solve real-world problems. Outside of tech, he’s a touring emcee and author who enjoys mentoring others and helping them carve out their own path forward.
Area of Expertise
Topics
Your Next Step Starts Now
The professional world is changing around us. Technology continues to evolve, AI is creating new ways to solve problems, and processes and systems that once worked may no longer be enough. In this environment, “I’ve always done it this way” is no longer a justification for standing still.
In this lightning talk, we will explore what it means to adapt when your career field, technology, and the expectations around you are changing. We’ll look at the balance between technical skills and soft skills knowing when to learn something new, when to question an outdated process, how to communicate through change, and how AI can be used as a tool for guidance, learning, problem solving, and efficiency.
Through practical examples and real-world uses of AI tools, attendees will see how they can begin taking the “unknown” out of new technology and professional change. This is not about becoming an AI expert overnight. It is about becoming more willing to learn, adapt, ask better questions, and use the tools available to move forward.
How to recognize when old processes and ways of thinking are holding them back
The importance of combining technical growth with adaptability, communication, and problem-solving
Practical ways AI can support learning, decision-making, brainstorming, and everyday work
How to approach unfamiliar technology without feeling overwhelmed
How to challenge the mindset of “I’ve always done it this way”
What attendees will walk away with:
Attendees will leave with practical tools, ideas, and a mindset for navigating professional and technological change. They will better understand how to use AI as a guide rather than something to fear, identify opportunities to improve the way they work, and take the next step forward even when they do not have everything figured out.
3 Mentors
At every stage of our careers, growth doesn’t happen in isolation it happens because someone helps us see and strengthen what we lack. In this lightning talk, I’ll share the concept of the 3 mentors.
Each mentor plays a unique role in shaping not only our technical skills, but also our confidence, leadership, and perspective. Attendees will leave with a simple framework to reflect on their own mentorship journeys, recognize the mentors around them, and even step into those roles for others.
Modern Identity with CAS in Academia
Learn how to build and manage JSON configurations for CAS/IdP using CAS, SAML, and OIDC protocols. Discover how to set up MFA, filter attributes, and map data for secure, scalable identity management.
Attendees will gain hands-on insight into creating flexible JSON configs for identity providers—learning how to streamline authentication, strengthen MFA, and simplify attribute management across protocols.
Using Boodle ai Tools to Be More Efficient: Let boodle Help You
Boodle ai does not replace your work it can help you get through it more efficiently. This session is designed for people who are curious about AI/Boodle ai but may still be hesitant about where to start or how it can actually help in their day-to-day work.
Using tools such as Boodle AI as an example, we will explore practical ways it can help organize thoughts, brainstorm ideas, break down complex tasks, identify content opportunities, and turn a rough idea into something more actionable. The goal is not to let AI do all the thinking for you, but to use it as a tool that helps reduce the time spent spinning your wheels.
Attendees will learn how to approach AI tools with the right mindset, create better prompts, and use AI to support productivity and creativity without losing their own voice or judgment. They will walk away with practical examples and ideas they can immediately apply to their own work.
Boodle ai does not replace your work it can help you get through it more efficiently. This session is designed for people who are curious about AI/Boodle ai but may still be hesitant about where to start or how it can actually help in their day-to-day work.
Using tools such as Boodle AI as an example, we will explore practical ways it can help organize thoughts, brainstorm ideas, break down complex tasks, identify content opportunities, and turn a rough idea into something more actionable. The goal is not to let AI do all the thinking for you, but to use it as a tool that helps reduce the time spent spinning your wheels.
Attendees will learn how to approach AI tools with the right mindset, create better prompts, and use AI to support productivity and creativity without losing their own voice or judgment. They will walk away with practical examples and ideas they can immediately apply to their own work.
You’re Not Stuck: Change Your Mindset with AI
AI is moving fast, and for many people, the biggest challenge is not a lack of tools—it is getting past the mindset that says, “I’ve always done it this way.”
This session is for people who are curious about AI, slowly embracing it, or still unsure how these new tools fit into their everyday work. We will explore how AI tools can be used as a guide, thinking partner, and productivity tool—not as a replacement for your knowledge, experience, or judgment.
Through real-world examples, we will look at practical AI tools that can help with brainstorming, organizing ideas, learning new skills, solving problems, and automating repetitive tasks. The session will challenge attendees to move beyond the old mindset of doing everything manually and start thinking about where AI can help them work smarter and more efficiently.
What the audience will learn:
How to move past the mindset that keeps them from trying AI tools
Practical ways AI can provide guidance without replacing human judgment
Real-world examples of AI tools used for brainstorming, problem-solving, learning, and productivity
How to identify tasks where AI can save time and reduce mental effort
How to start experimenting with AI without needing to become an AI expert
What attendees will walk away with:
Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how AI can support the way they already work, along with practical ideas and examples they can immediately try. More importantly, they will walk away with a mindset shift you may not actually be stuck you may just need to be willing to try a different tool, approach, or way of thinking.
Please note that Sessionize is not responsible for the accuracy or validity of the data provided by speakers. If you suspect this profile to be fake or spam, please let us know.
Jump to top