Santiago Aguirre shares what it means to be a UiPath Visionary Educator

Santiago Aguirre, a faculty member in the Department of Business Information Systems at Central Michigan University, was recently recognized as a Visionary Educator by UiPath, a global leader in robotic process automation. The award highlights his work in promoting experiential learning and helping students gain real-world skills in automation technologies. 

“I was really happy about the recognition,” Aguirre said. “It’s a great acknowledgment of our ongoing efforts to create opportunities for our students to engage in workshops, events, and competitions that promote learning about automation and career-relevant technologies.” 

Connecting classroom learning with automation tools 

Aguirre became involved with the UiPath Academic Alliance program through a broader initiative to integrate automation and enterprise systems into the curriculum. He and Vishal Shah, a faculty member in the BIS Department who was also recognized as Visionary Educator, are working on a research project that brings together process mining, robotic process automation, and enterprise resource planning systems such as SAP. 

“We’re working on developing an integrated methodology that begins with analyzing process execution data to identify inefficiencies and uncover opportunities for automation,” he explained. “We then use Robotic Process Automation to develop the automation and integrate ERP systems to execute the corresponding transactions. This forms part of one of the research projects we are currently working on.” 

Both faculty members share a forward-thinking vision for how automation can transform business education. Shah emphasized the importance of using technology to enhance, rather than replace, the human element in learning. 

"I see automation as a powerful enabler, not a replacement," he said. "I envision a future where it supports a more adaptive, inclusive, and industry-aligned education system—one that empowers both educators and learners to focus on creativity, critical thinking, and meaningful human connection." 

A focus on experiential learning 

When asked how universities can better prepare students for a future shaped by AI and automation, Aguirre emphasized the importance of giving students hands-on experience with the tools they are learning about. 

“The most effective way to teach automation is through experiential learning,” he said. “Students need to gain hands-on experience with automation tools and learn to address real-world business challenges. Bridging academic learning with industry collaboration is essential to prepare them for the demands of today’s workforce.” 

He added that today’s RPA tools are often integrated with AI technologies, which makes it even more important for students to understand how these tools affect business performance. 

“We need to help students assess the impact of automation not only on key performance indicators, but also on how it supports people within an organization,” Aguirre said. “Understanding both the technical and human dimensions of automation is essential for their future careers”. 

This emphasis on holistic learning is already yielding results, some of our students who have participated in workshops, events, and competitions are now certified in UiPath. This certification not only demonstrates their proficiency in automation tools but also enhances their resumes, positioning them as strong candidates for high-paying and fulfilling job opportunities. 

Getting started with RPA in the classroom 

For educators interested in teaching automation, Aguirre recommends exploring the self-paced resources available through UiPath’s Academic Alliance. 

 “There’s a wide range of resources available,” he said. “UiPath provides a comprehensive learning path with online courses and content specifically tailored for educators.” 

Aguirre’s recognition reflects his dedication to preparing students for the future of business and technology. Through a combination of hands-on learning and curriculum innovation, he continues to help students at CMU build the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly automated world.