Year

2024


Award Winners

2023:  U.S. Congressman Andrew Garbarino, 2nd Congressional District (R-NY)

2022: Senator Gary Peters (D-MI)

2021: The Honorable Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and The Honorable Kay Ivey (R-AL)

2020: The Honorable Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) and The Honorable Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO)

2019: The Honorable Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and The Honorable Tom Cole (R-OK)

2018: Governor Steve Bullock (D-MT) and Governor Doug Ducey (R-AZ)

2017: Tom Wheeler, Former Chairman, FCC

2016: Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

2014: Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioner, FCC

2013: Karen Cator, former Director of the Office of Educational Technology, US Department of Education

2012: Michael J. Copps, former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner

2011: Congressman George Miller (D-CA)

2010: Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)

2009: Congressman Edward Markey (D-MA)

2008: Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)

2007: Governor Edward G. Rendell (D-PA)

2006: Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)

2005: John Bailey (former Director, Office of Educational Technology, US Department of Education)

2004: House Speaker Rick Johnson (R-MI)

2003: Senator Patrick Leahy (VT)

2002: Senator John (Jay) D Rockefeller IV (D-WV)

2001: Governor Angus I. King (I-ME)

2000: Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)


All elected and appointed officials are eligible for recognition. Past winners have included congressmen and senators, officials of the U.S. Department of Education, and leaders from the Federal Communications Commission. The winner is selected each year by CoSN leadership and announced at the CoSN Annual Conference in April. There is no nominations process for this award.

2024 Award Winner: Excellence in Public Service Award

angie craig

Congresswoman Angie Craig from Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District

Following cyber-attacks on Minneapolis and Rochester Minnesota school districts, Congresswoman Craig helped make the case that the Federal Communications Commission should provide cybersecurity support through the Erate.  Her voice helped convince FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and all the other members of the FCC to propose a cybersecurity pilot for schools and libraries. She is also a strong voice for expanding access to broadband in rural and other areas with connectivity gaps is greatly appreciated.  Read the full press release HERE.

How to Apply

Selected by Committee