April 5, 2019

The University of South Dakota is turning its presence at the University Center in Sioux Falls into a new college dedicated to innovation and workforce development.

The South Dakota Board of Regents approved the parameters contained in a new memorandum of understanding between USD, South Dakota State University and Dakota State University at its meeting Wednesday.

Developing a new college within USD’s academic structure allows it to better serve the students and expand its footprint within the Sioux Falls community, said USD president Sheila Gestring.

“USD is well-positioned to serve the community of Sioux Falls by offering an accessible, flexible and relevant educational experience to South Dakota high school graduates who do not currently go on to postsecondary education,” Gestring said in a statement. “The new college will also offer forward-looking degree programs that serve the Sioux Falls area’s workforce needs.”

University Center will be rebranded with what USD called “a clearer focus and stronger vision.” The new USD college, which is yet to be named, will be led by Carmen Simone, current executive director of University Center. In her new role, Simone will become a USD vice president and dean.

The new college will provide access to the following USD degrees:

• Associate of Arts in General Studies.
• Associate of Science in Integrated Science.
• Associate of Arts in Graphic and Web Design.
• Bachelor of Science in Technical Leadership.
• Bachelor of General Studies.

In addition, USD will serve Sioux Falls with credit-bearing certificates, noncredit workforce training, dual credit delivery to local schools and lifelong learning opportunities.

SDSU and DSU will continue to offer complementary course offerings at the rebranded University Center, including cybersecurity, nursing, web development and health care coding.

“What makes this endeavor unique is that we are able to harness the power of the USD brand while still partnering with institutions like Southeast Technical Institute, DSU and SDSU,” Simone said. “We are working together to serve Sioux Falls with a full spectrum of educational offerings. Each new person who chooses a pathway and becomes a student is a win for all of us, but more importantly, each graduate becomes a win for the community of Sioux Falls.”