DQC Indiana Snapshot COB
The Data Quality Campaign’s 2025 Indiana State Snapshot highlights how Indiana is building sustainable data systems by investing in people. Indiana’s approach centers on strengthening human capacity and embedding leadership specific to privacy across state agencies, offering a model for other states.
On the workforce side, Indiana modernized career ladders for data professionals by updating job classifications, creating structured growth pathways, and designing hiring roadmaps tailored for agencies of different sizes. This effort, led by the Indiana Data Governance Council, ensures consistency across agencies and builds longterm capacity. Professional development is prioritized through training and certification programs. In contrast, a partnership with Purdue University’s Data Mine program provides students with real-world experiences that prepare them for the next generation of data professionals.
At the same time, Indiana has established privacy leadership across its agencies by assigning Agency Privacy Officers (APOs) with standardized job descriptions and providing them with training. These officers work closely with the state’s chief privacy officer to manage compliance, reduce risks, and contribute to discussions on emerging technologies such as AI and data sharing. While balancing new responsibilities created challenges, Indiana has addressed them with expanded training, office hours for collaboration, and shared resources.
The report notes that federal support can help states replicate Indiana’s model through uniform privacy laws, targeted funding, and consistent grant guidance. Indiana’s example shows that prioritizing workforce development and privacy leadership builds trust, enhances compliance, and ensures data systems are secure, sustainable, and effective.¹
¹ Data Quality Campaign. (2025, February 26). Indiana human capacity and privacy leadership. Data Quality Campaign. https://dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/indiana-human-capacity-and-privacy-leadership/
This Story from the Field is a supplement to the 2025 Project Unicorn State of the Sector Report which analyzes K-12 school system capabilities and infrastructure for leveraging education data. Read the full report.
