A Comprehensive Professional, Cultural, and Academic Profile**
Introduction
Vladimir Kuljak is a technical systems leader, full‑stack developer, and organizational strategist whose work blends engineering, narrative design, and cultural identity. Based in Jefferson City, Missouri, he has built a career defined by transformation—of systems, of institutions, and of the people who rely on them. His professional path spans more than twenty‑five years across higher education, state government, and digital innovation, culminating in a leadership role as the Technology Services Project & Administrative Manager at Lincoln University of Missouri.
Kuljak’s identity is multidimensional: a Serbian‑born former professional basketball player, a creative technologist, a doctoral researcher, a community builder, and a mythic storyteller. His work is grounded in the belief that systems and stories shape the world—and that the strongest leaders understand both. This philosophy guides his technical portfolio, his academic research, and his consulting practice, forming a cohesive narrative of a leader who builds with intention, clarity, and cultural depth.
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Professional Career and Technical Leadership
Vladimir Kuljak’s professional journey reflects a consistent commitment to modernization, user‑centric design, and the strategic integration of technology into organizational life.
Lincoln University of Missouri (2026–Present)
As the Technology Services Project & Administrative Manager, Kuljak oversees institution‑wide digital initiatives, workflow modernization, and cross‑departmental project coordination. His work focuses on:
- Streamlining communication and reporting structures
- Implementing SharePoint and M365 automation
- Enhancing digital accessibility and user experience
- Supporting leadership with data‑driven decision tools
This role positions him at the center of Lincoln University’s digital transformation efforts.
University of Kansas – ATLAS (2022–2026)
At the University of Kansas, Kuljak served as a Research Project Manager for the ATLAS initiative, where he became the primary subject matter expert for SharePoint, M365 automation, and learning management system optimization. His contributions included:
- Designing centralized SharePoint hubs as “single sources of truth”
- Automating high‑volume academic workflows
- Developing Power BI dashboards connected to real‑time data
- Leading cross‑functional teams in digital transformation
His work at ATLAS established him as a leader in academic automation and data‑driven institutional support.
Westminster College (2021–2022)
As a Web Application Developer, he built and maintained digital platforms supporting academic programs and student services, emphasizing accessibility, responsive design, and performance.
University of Missouri–Columbia (2015–2020)
Serving as Technology Resource Manager for Classroom Technology & AV Support, he modernized learning spaces, drafted technical proposals, and supported large‑scale instructional technology deployments.
State of Missouri – Digital Government Projects
Kuljak developed and maintained high‑traffic WordPress sites for the state, including:
- mo.gov
- studymissouri.gov
- mobroadbandnow.com
He also optimized emergency management dashboards and digital forms for the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, demonstrating his ability to build systems that support public service and civic infrastructure.
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Technical Expertise and Digital Architecture
Kuljak’s technical skillset spans development, database design, automation, and digital storytelling.
Development and Engineering
- PHP, JavaScript, ReactJS
- HTML/CSS, Perl
- Custom WordPress plugins and themes
Database Architecture
- SQL and DB2
- Stored procedures
- Complex relational schema design
Automation and Workflow Engineering
- Microsoft Power Automate
- Power BI dashboards
- SharePoint metadata architecture
- No‑code and low‑code process optimization
Design and Branding
- UI/UX principles
- Motion graphics
- Digital storytelling
- Brand identity systems
His approach is grounded in a philosophy he calls “mythic digital strategy”—a fusion of rigid systems architecture with narrative clarity and symbolic design.
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Educational Background and Academic Research
Education is a defining force in Kuljak’s life, shaping both his professional trajectory and his intellectual identity.
Doctor of Education (EdD), Organizational Leadership
William Woods University (2025–2027)
His doctoral research explores how artificial intelligence can transition from a classroom tool to a leadership asset. His work examines:
- Ethical implementation of AI
- Qualitative research methods
- Leadership paradigms in AI‑driven environments
- Balancing human empathy with technological efficiency
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), Learning Technologies in Schools
University of Missouri (2020)
His Ed.S. work focused on learning technologies, classroom support systems, and digital curriculum delivery. He also studied the SARD framework to evaluate collaborative software’s impact on student retention and graduation rates.
Master of Science (MS), Management Information Systems
University of Illinois Springfield (2011)
Bachelor of Science (BS), Computer Information Systems
Lincoln University
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Cultural Background and Personal Identity
Kuljak’s Serbian heritage plays a central role in his creative and intellectual life. Born and raised in Serbia, he played professional basketball for OKK Beograd and Beopetrol from 1993 to 1997. This early chapter instilled discipline, teamwork, and resilience—qualities that continue to shape his leadership style.
His cultural projects include:
- Nosfevladu, a mythic persona used to reinterpret Balkan history
- Digital storytelling rooted in Serbian folklore
- Culinary and cultural preservation projects
- A Serbia‑focused website blending recipes, history, and symbolism
These projects reflect his belief that identity is both inherited and constructed—and that technology can serve as a bridge between past and future.
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Mythic Digital Strategy: Portfolio and Creative Practice
Vladimir Kuljak’s technical portfolio and consulting practice are centered on a “mythic digital strategist” approach, which blends rigid systems architecture with creative storytelling and narrative‑driven design. This philosophy shapes both his digital lab and his professional consulting work.
Technical Portfolio & Digital Lab
His primary digital presence, vladimirkuljak.com, serves as a creative playground where he showcases his technical capabilities through experimental interfaces.
- Interactive Timeline Resume — A custom React‑based timeline that allows users to navigate his career visually.
- Terminal Portfolio (v1.3.1) — A command‑line‑style interface where visitors use commands like help to explore his work.
- Open Source Experiments — GitHub repositories including a Python‑based “Literary Clock” and research tools for standards‑referenced reporting.
- Digital Branding — A visual language defined by neon yellow accents, rounded modern buttons, and minimalist spacing optimized for speed and accessibility.
Professional Consulting Services
Kuljak provides specialized consulting for businesses, academic institutions, and creative professionals. His approach frames organizational challenges as epic journeys requiring both technical precision and narrative clarity.
- Creative Consultation — Branding, content strategy, and visual identity.
- Technical Troubleshooting — Workflow engineering, hardware integrations, and modernization.
- Academic Coaching — Support for EdD candidates navigating qualitative research and academic writing.
- Civic Tech Strategy — Helping organizations transition from reactive workflows to structured, intentional systems.
Key Career Projects
His portfolio includes large‑scale digital transformations for public and academic institutions:
- State of Missouri — Architected and managed high‑traffic websites using custom PHP and JavaScript.
- University of Missouri — Modernized learning spaces and drafted proposals for advanced AV deployments.
- University of Kansas (ATLAS) — Led SharePoint modernization, O365 integrations, and Power BI visualization initiatives.
These projects demonstrate his ability to build systems that are both technically robust and narratively coherent.
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Conclusion
Vladimir Kuljak is a multidimensional leader whose work spans technology, culture, education, and creative strategy. His career reflects a rare combination of technical mastery, academic rigor, and mythic storytelling. Whether he is building automated systems for universities, researching AI‑driven leadership models, designing digital identities, or preserving Serbian heritage, his work is unified by a single principle: systems and stories shape the world—and the strongest leaders understand both.
