THELMA OGOCHUKWU CYRIL-NWOKEKE
BROOKINGS
Summary
Experienced educator specializing in writing pedagogy, academic rehabilitation, and AI-driven educational system development. Developed long-attention instructional models and disability-informed academic support, enhancing access and reliability in education for underserved and high-risk student populations.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Apex Academic Intelligence LLC
02.2026 - Current
- I founded an educational technology and academic consulting enterprise centered on disability-informed writing instruction, long-attention instructional models, and responsible integration of human-centered AI within educational systems.
- I design scalable EdTech frameworks that combine individualized writing pedagogy with AI-assisted instructional infrastructure to expand access for students with acquired cognitive impairments and learning disruptions.
- Developed educational technology and academic consulting enterprise to deliver disability-informed writing instruction, long-attention instructional models, and responsible integration of human-centered AI in educational systems.
- Emphasized educational systems innovation to strengthen instructional continuity and equity while promoting structured academic development for diverse learners.
- Consulted on inclusive curriculum design, AI-aligned instructional modeling, academic assessment systems, and adaptive learning strategy development to enhance educational accessibility and effectiveness.
Linguistic AI Training Expert
Micro 1
02.2026 - Current
- Contributed to language model training initiatives focused on human-centered calibration and evaluation aligned with deployment goals.
- I design prompt environments that simulate authentic educational and analytical use cases to improve model robustness in live reasoning conditions.
- I apply structured evaluation frameworks to assess reasoning fidelity, clarity, factual grounding, and instructional reliability.
- Participated in human-in-the-loop calibration processes to improve model transparency and real-world applicability.
- Supported advancement of trustworthy AI systems designed for innovation in educational systems and scalable academic support.
Generalist Writer, AI Model Training and Evaluation
Mercor
01.2026 - Current
- Contributed to large-scale language model training initiatives enhancing advanced reasoning, structured argumentation, and academic-style response calibration.
- Designed and evaluated complex analytical outputs to align models with expert-level instructional writing and criterion-based assessment systems.
- I identify structural inconsistencies and reasoning gaps in AI outputs to strengthen reliability in educational and analytical contexts.
- Participated in iterative calibration workflows supporting scalable AI systems for structured academic assistance and instructional support.
Graduate Teaching Assistant and Assistant Writing Center Coordinator
South Dakota State University
Brookings
08.2023 - Current
- I design and teach first-year composition courses that focus on argumentation, research literacy, and sustained writing development.
- Provided sustained, individualized writing instruction to undergraduate students across disciplines, including those with learning disruptions and cognitive impairments, enhancing their writing skills.
- I delivered semester-long, one-on-one writing support to a collegiate student-athlete with traumatic brain injury, and the student successfully completed coursework with a final grade of A.
- Designed and implemented scaffolded writing strategies that emphasized structured drafting and adaptive feedback, leading to improved student engagement and writing outcomes.
- Coordinated writing center operations and mentored undergraduate tutors in inclusive pedagogy and individualized academic support practices, fostering a supportive learning environment.
- I contribute to Writing Across the Curriculum initiatives and curriculum development efforts.
Housing Program Assistant, Team Lead
South Dakota State University, Housing and Residential Life
05.2025 - 08.2025
- I led residential operations supporting large-scale youth athletic camps serving over 4,000 residents.
- Supervised and trained housing staff to address accessibility, wellness, and safety needs effectively.
- Managed scheduling, logistics, and daily operations for structured residential programming, ensuring smooth execution.
- Coordinated housing services for secondary-school student-athletes transitioning into intensive academic and athletic environments, facilitating their adjustment.
Summer Camp Counselor
Dakota Dream Team
Brookings
07.2024 - 08.2024
- Facilitated academic enrichment programming for underrepresented middle and high school students, promoting engagement and enhancing learning opportunities.
- Led sessions on college readiness, leadership, and teamwork to foster academic confidence and inspire postsecondary aspirations.
- Supervised daily activities for campers, ensuring a safe and engaging environment.
- Led group games and activities, fostering teamwork and communication among participants.
- Organized arts and crafts sessions, encouraging creativity and self-expression in campers.
Retail Sales Executive and Insurance Broker
Banksome Group
Lagos
10.2020 - 08.2023
- Managed retail client portfolio as insurance broker, ensuring tailored solutions met client needs.
- I conducted client needs assessments and recommended appropriate insurance products tailored to individual risk profiles.
- I built and maintained long-term client relationships through consultative communication and solution-based service delivery.
- I consistently met sales and revenue targets within a competitive retail market.
- I collaborated with marketing teams to support promotional campaigns and customer engagement strategies.
- Trained junior staff and interns on client service standards and product knowledge, enhancing team readiness and service quality.
Volunteer Literacy Instructor
Internally Displaced Persons Camps
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Designed engaging instructional sessions emphasizing repetition and guided practice to improve literacy skills.
- Assessed learning needs and structured lessons to ensure continuity across multiple camp settings, fostering a stable learning environment.
- Provided foundational literacy and writing instruction to displaced children ages 7 to 15, enhancing their access to education.
Sales and Marketing Intern
Banksome Group
Lagos
11.2019 - 10.2020
- Coordinated customer outreach, product promotion, and campaign initiatives to enhance sales and marketing efforts.
- Conducted market research and contributed to client acquisition and promotional strategy to drive engagement.
- Cultivated skills in professional communication, persuasive messaging, and performance reporting to support marketing objectives.
Education
Master of Arts - English
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota05.2026
Bachelor of Arts - English and Literary Studies
University of Calabar
Calabar, Nigeria09.2019
Skills
- AI Implementation Strategies
- AI Impact Assessment
- AI pedagogy
- Educational Technology Integration
- Curriculum design
- Curriculum Integration Strategies
- Online and Hybrid Instruction
- Educational Leadership
- Educational technology
- Academic assessment
- Outcome-Based Evaluation
- Content Clarity Techniques
- Inclusive teaching
- Organizational Leadership
- Strategic thinking
- Process improvements
- Consulting
- Effective communication
- Team collaboration
- Writing instruction
Affiliations
- Modern Language Association
- International Writing Center Association
- Online Writing Center Association
- African Film Studies Association
- African Studies Association Women’s Caucus
- Nigerian Studies Association
Certification
- Online and Hybrid Instructor Certification, South Dakota State University, 2025 to 2030
- Professional Development Program, South Dakota State University, 2024
- Humanities Responsible Conduct of Research, CITI Program, 2023
Research And Scholarly Engagement
Cozy for Whom? Reimagining Writing Center Spaces, International Writing Centers Association Conference, 2025, Presented peer-reviewed research proposing inclusive spatial and pedagogical frameworks
Timeline
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Apex Academic Intelligence LLC
02.2026 - Current
Linguistic AI Training Expert
Micro 1
02.2026 - Current
Generalist Writer, AI Model Training and Evaluation
Mercor
01.2026 - Current
Housing Program Assistant, Team Lead
South Dakota State University, Housing and Residential Life
05.2025 - 08.2025
Summer Camp Counselor
Dakota Dream Team
07.2024 - 08.2024
Graduate Teaching Assistant and Assistant Writing Center Coordinator
South Dakota State University
08.2023 - Current
Retail Sales Executive and Insurance Broker
Banksome Group
10.2020 - 08.2023
Sales and Marketing Intern
Banksome Group
11.2019 - 10.2020
Volunteer Literacy Instructor
Internally Displaced Persons Camps
01.2018 - 01.2022
Master of Arts - English
South Dakota State University
Bachelor of Arts - English and Literary Studies
University of Calabar