Rich Czarnecki, MSU Chief Information Officer, has been named the 2025 Michigan CIO of the Year ORBIE Award winner in the Large Enterprise category. The award was presented on Thursday, December 4, during a ceremony at The Henry in Dearborn, Mich.
MSU IT CIO Rich Czarnecki (left) receives his 2025 ORBIE Award
“This award is really about the incredible work of our MSU IT team and recognition of the strong relationships we’ve built with our campus partners,” Czarnecki said. “I’m proud to have the privilege to represent such a talented and dedicated group.”
The Michigan ORBIE Awards recognize exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact among Chief Information Officers across the state. Czarnecki’s selection is a testament not only to his strategic vision and dedication to campus partnerships, but also to the tremendous work of the MSU IT organization and its staff.
Under Czarnecki’s leadership, MSU IT has delivered transformative initiatives that align technology services with Michigan State University’s mission of education, research, and outreach. These accomplishments reflect the deep expertise, collaboration, and commitment of the entire MSU IT team whose efforts continue to elevate the digital experience for the Spartan community.
A member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance and board member for Merit Network, Rich brings over 14 years of progressive leadership in higher education. He began his career developing award-winning K-12 edtech solutions. A proud Spartan graduate, Rich also holds executive credentials from EDUCAUSE and MOR Associates.
Czarnecki was one of four finalists chosen out of 100 Michigan CIOs nominated for this year’s award. He is now eligible for the National ORBIE Award in 2026. For more information about the ORBIE Awards and this year’s honorees, visit orbie.org.
