Federal and State Policymaker Awards

The Federal and State Policymaker Awards honor elected and appointed policymakers at both the state and federal levels who have championed equitable access to technology and the effective use of technology in K-12 education.

 

 

 


Federal Policymaker

2024
NTIA Director of Digital Equity Angela Thi Bennett
Washington

SETDA honors Director Angela Thi Bennett for her pivotal role in driving digital equity initiatives, particularly through her leadership in launching the Digital Equity Act programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As a tireless advocate for digital inclusion, Director Bennett ensures that states and grantees prioritize the needs of students and families in their funding efforts. By fostering stronger ties between the NTIA and the education sector, she has championed the critical role of technology in expanding access to educational resources and opportunities for all, especially underserved communities.

Read the full press release here.


Federal Policymaker Honorees

2023 FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks Washington
2022 Senator Patty Murray
Congressman Jerry McNerney
Washington
California (9th District)
2021 Senator Gary Peters Michigan
2020 Congresswoman Grace Meng New York
2019 Senator Jacky Rosen Nevada
2018 Senator Ed Markey Massachusetts
2016 Congressman Dave Loebsack Iowa
2015 Senator Tammy Baldwin Wisconsin
2014 Congressman Jared Polis Colorado
2013 Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel Federal Communications Commmission
2012 Senator Olympia Snowe Maine
2011 Senator Patty Murray Washington
2010 Senator Jeff Bingaman New Mexico
2009 Congressman George Miller California
2008 Senator John D. Rockefeller IV West Virgina
2007 Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard
Senator Richard Burr
California
North Carolina
2006 Senator Tom Harkin Iowa
2005 Senator Orrin Hatch Utah
2004 Senator Arlen Spector Pennsylvania

 


State Policymakers

2024
Education Group Chief Information Officer Mary Reynolds

This year’s award honors Mary Reynolds for her visionary leadership in making technology a cornerstone of Illinois’ public education system. Under her guidance, the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) has overseen significant advancements, such as securing the Illinois Century Network (ICN) to support digital learning for nearly 60% of the state’s schools. Over her 40-year career in state government, Reynolds has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including founding Illinois’ first competency-based pilot program and re-establishing the Learning Technology Center of Illinois. Her efforts have empowered equitable access to digital resources, ensuring that technology remains a powerful tool for advancing student outcomes across the state.

Read the full press release here.


State Policymaker Honorees

2023 New Mexico Public Education Secretary Dr. Arsenio Romero
Former New Mexico Public Education Secretary Dr. Kurt Steinhaus
New Mexico
2021 State Superintendent Dr. Sydnee Dickson Utah
2018 Governor Rick Synder
State Superintendent Brian Whiston (posthumous award)
Michigan
2017 State Superintendent Jillian Balow Wyoming
2016 Dale Erquiaga, Office of Governor Nevada
2015 Education Commissioner David C. Hespe
Chief Innovation Officer, Assistant Commissioner Evo Popoff
New Jersey
2012 State Superintendent Tom Torlakson California
2011 State Superintendent Dr. Patricia Wright Virginia
2010 State Superintendent Dr. June Atkinson North Carolina
2009 Director Judy Jeffrey Iowa
2008 State Superintendent Dr. Joseph Morton Alabama
2007 State Superintendent Michael Flanagan Michigan
2006 Assistant State Superintendent Dr. Jorea Marple West Virginia
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