Sarah J. Buszka is an internationally recognized leader at the intersection of higher education, technology, and AI strategy. As Director of the Applied AI Lab at Waukesha County Technical College, she leads transformative efforts to apply artificial intelligence to real-world challenges. In this role, Sarah develops cutting-edge AI solutions, delivers workforce training, and serves as the region’s primary resource for AI strategy and innovation.
Her 15-year higher education career spans both U.S. coasts, with previous leadership roles at Stanford University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she shaped enterprise IT strategy and infrastructure. Passionate about building the next generation of leaders, Sarah has chaired the EDUCAUSE Young Professionals Advisory Committee, co-hosted the EDUCAUSE Rising Voices podcast, and advised national organizations and government on the future of education technology and artificial intelligence.
Sarah’s academic foundation includes a Master of Public Administration from Cornell University, graduating summa cum laude, with a specialization in AI policy and publications on democracy and innovation in the Cornell Policy Review. She also holds a B.S. in Neurobiology, Psychology, and Russian from UW–Madison and leads Forward AI Consulting to expand AI access across sectors. She is driven by a bold vision: to establish Wisconsin as the “Silicon Prairie” of AI.
Recipient of the 2024 EDUCAUSE Rising Star Award.
