Embracing Change, Building a Future Together

September 26, 2025

Chancellor Olson reflects on the progress and promise of the NextGen project

Minnesota State began the NextGen journey more than ten years ago, as student expectations and information systems began maturing beyond what the Integrated Statewide Record System (ISRS) was built to do—and upgrading it wasn’t an option. But what began as a necessity created an opportunity to build something even better.

“As we zeroed in on vendors, Workday was clearly the top option,” Chancellor Olson said. “It was going to be able to grow and change with us, and it had the best mobile option.”

That’s what NextGen, ultimately, will be delivering through Workday—a better student experience. Students will be able to apply, register, check their degree progress, change their major, sign up for housing, or apply for graduation—all from their phone. That’s not just a tech upgrade. That’s a shift in how we serve today’s learners.

“There’s no question the stabilization of Workday Human Capital Management and Finance has been a steep hill to climb, and it continues to be,” said Olson. “Our NextGen teams have been working so hard, and sometimes it’s challenging to imagine its eventual success. But it will be successful once all issues are resolved, and it will make Minnesota State stronger, more connected, and able to serve students, employees, and communities in ways we couldn’t before. I’m so thankful to everyone throughout the system who is working on NextGen to advance this vision.”

From Independent Campuses to a True System
When Minnesota State began forming as a system more than 30 years ago, campuses still operated largely on their own.

“We’ve had 30 years of legacy practices and independent approaches,” the Chancellor noted. But by working through challenges together, aligning processes, and adopting shared tools, “the strengths of any one institution will become the strengths of every institution.”

This doesn’t erase what makes each campus unique. Every college and university keeps its own flavor—its distinctive programs, people, and culture. What’s changing is the student experience. With aligned systems, students will be able to move more smoothly between campuses, stack credentials, and take advantage of opportunities across the state without unnecessary hurdles.

Equity at the Center
NextGen also supports the most important goal of Minnesota State: Equity 2030. Our state can’t thrive without including every student—first-generation learners, Pell-eligible students, adult learners, Black and Indigenous students, other students of color, and LGBTQ+ students, and more. By making systems easier to navigate and more responsive to student needs, NextGen is removing barriers that have held too many back.

As Chancellor Olson puts it, “Anyone who wants a chance to follow their dreams and create the life they envision can get that chance. This access and opportunity is core to who we are, and NextGen will make it possible.”

A Glimmer on the Horizon
NextGen is not unlike the journey students embark upon when deciding to pursue a degree or credential: the process is challenging, but the outcome is worth the effort. NextGen’s progress and promise, for both students and employees, is clear.

“We’re doing something really meaningful here. We’re creating a whole new way for students to learn, getting obstacles out of the way that have slowed them down, and ultimately making it easier for employees, too,” said Olson.

Years from now, when using Workday is second nature, we'll look back and appreciate the opportunities that systemness afforded us. Because in the end, NextGen is more than new software. It’s a glimmer on the horizon providing a new way of serving students, supporting employees, and strengthening Minnesota communities. It’s about building a better future together.