NASCIO Releases Study on Diversity and Inclusion in State IT

Lexington, Ky., Wednesday, April 13, 2022— today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) released Diversity and Inclusion: An Essential Element to the State IT Workforce. It has been widely acknowledged that state government has significant challenges in recruiting and retaining a qualified IT workforce and this has been a theme in NASCIO’s research. State chief information officers (CIOs) reported that one way they are trying to meet these challenges is by prioritizing diversity and inclusion. The NASCIO Executive Committee therefore voted unanimously in December 2021 to study the state IT workforce and identify gaps and meaningful steps that state CIOs can take to recruit and retain a diverse workforce and maintain an inclusive workplace.

“The vast majority of job seekers today prioritize diversity and inclusion,” said Doug Robinson, NASCIO Executive Director. “If state CIOs are to recruit and retain the needed workforce to meet the current and future needs of the states we serve, they must also prioritize diversity and inclusion.”

The publication includes data from a survey of state CIOs on diversity and inclusion in hiring, retention and culture in CIO offices. It also provides interviews with NASCIO corporate members. These conversations were an important component of the project as the private sector generally has well established diversity and inclusion programs that can provide blueprints for states.

The publication, along with NASCIO’s other research on the state IT workforce, can be found on NASCIO’s website in the Resource Center.

NASCIO Contact

Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]