Welcoming Kristina Kelpe as NextGen Director
Kristina Kelpe has joined Minnesota State as the new NextGen Director, bringing more than 15 years of higher education leadership and information system implementation experience. Kristina began her role on Monday, October 27, and adds a wealth of expertise in developing and managing systems that support career services, annual giving, advancement, admissions, and enrollment operations.
Most recently, Kristina has worked as a Workday® Student consultant, guiding colleges and universities through successful implementations and helping institutions achieve their transformation goals. Her experience includes leading major go-lives and driving turnaround strategies for complex projects.
As the NextGen Director, Kristina will:
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for Minnesota State’s enterprise Workday platform, including Finance, Human Capital Management (HCM), Payroll, and Student systems.
- Coordinate the efforts of module-specific program and project managers—such as the Student Program Manager and Platform Project Manager—to ensure alignment with systemwide goals, best practices, and ongoing optimization.
Kristina’s leadership marks an exciting step forward in Minnesota State’s NextGen transformation, helping ensure that technology and strategy work hand-in-hand to improve operations and enhance the student experience across all campuses.
Last updated November 5, 2025