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Minnesota Earns National Recognition for Four Technology Initiatives: Minnesota has received national recognition for four state technology initiatives in the 2026 State IT Recognition Awards presented by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO).
The awards recognize excellence in state government technology. Minnesota’s Technology Modernization Fund received a State CIO Office Special Recognition Award, while three other Minnesota initiatives were selected as finalists across different categories.
Minnesota Technology Leadership Recognized
The Minnesota technology leadership team was represented at the awards ceremony:
- Jon Eichten — Commissioner and Minnesota State Chief Information Officer
- Zarina Baber — Assistant Commissioner and Chief Transformation Officer
- John Israel — Assistant Commissioner and Chief Information Security Officer
- Brandon Hirsch — Deputy Commissioner
The recognition highlights the work of Minnesota’s technology leadership and teams in advancing digital government, modernization, cybersecurity and technology-enabled public services.
Four Minnesota Initiatives Recognized
The three additional Minnesota initiatives selected as finalists were Direct Admissions, recognized in the Operational Efficiency category; Minnesota Paid Leave, recognized in the Digital Experience: Agency/Program Solutions category; and CloudRAMP, recognized in the Enterprise Technology Management category.
NASCIO selected 31 finalists across 10 categories from more than 130 entries nationwide, with 11 projects ultimately receiving awards.
Technology Modernization Fund
Minnesota’s Technology Modernization Fund was established by the state Legislature in 2023 with a $40 million investment to accelerate high-priority technology projects across state government.
Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) administers the fund through an enterprise-wide process that evaluates proposed projects based on expected benefits, risks, readiness and alignment with statewide priorities. The fund has helped agencies improve government services, strengthen cybersecurity, reduce operational risks and modernize outdated processes.
Direct Admissions
The Direct Admissions platform was developed by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education in partnership with MNIT, participating high schools and colleges.
The platform uses students’ academic records to show high school seniors which participating Minnesota colleges and universities are ready to admit them before they complete a traditional application. The initiative is designed to simplify college searches, reduce uncertainty and help more students consider higher education.
Minnesota Paid Leave
The Minnesota Paid Leave digital service was developed by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development in partnership with MNIT and launched on January 1, 2026.
The program provides payments and job protections when Minnesotans need time away from work to care for themselves or their families. More than 350 employees participated in designing, building and launching the secure, accessible and user-centered digital service.
CloudRAMP
MNIT developed CloudRAMP as a secure, reusable foundation for state agencies moving services and systems to the cloud.
The enterprise platform provides a consistent approach to cloud adoption, reduces duplicated work and helps agencies build on existing state technology investments. It also supports security and faster delivery of government technology services.
Focus on Better Digital Government
Minnesota IT Services Commissioner and State Chief Information Officer Jon Eichten said the recognitions demonstrate what Minnesota can accomplish through technology investments, partnerships and a focus on the people served by government.
MNIT serves Minnesota’s executive branch, providing enterprise and local IT services to more than 70 agencies, boards and commissions. The agency employs more than 2,800 people and supports the state’s technology infrastructure, applications, projects and services.
The four recognized initiatives represent different aspects of digital government—from modernizing technology infrastructure and strengthening cloud capabilities to simplifying college admissions and delivering digital public services.
