May 1, 2018

Sheila Gestring is the new president of the University of South Dakota.

She joined the USD finance staff in 2006. Gestring most recently served as vice president of finance and has been chief financial officer since 2010.

Gestring is credited for stabilizing the university’s financial position, developing innovative financing plans for new facilities and working with the USD Foundation to set major fundraising goals and priorities for the university. A record-setting donor campaign surpassed its goal of $250 million several months early.

Before coming to USD, Gestring was chief financial officer at Flathead Valley Community College in Montana and worked in increasingly responsible finance positions for South Dakota state government. She has an MBA from USD and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from the University of Sioux Falls.

Gestring replaces longtime president Jim Abbott, who is retiring in June.