Office of the Dean
Dr. Rick Melmer, Ed.D., Dean of the School of Education
Prior to coming to USD in June of 2008 Dean Melmer served as Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education. Melmer was superintendent of schools in the Watertown, S.D., School District for eight years where his responsibilities included serving as administrator of Lake Area Technical Institute. From 1991 to 1995, Melmer was superintendent of the Sioux Center Community School District in Sioux Center, Iowa.
A native of South Dakota, Melmer received an Ed.D. in elementary administration from the University of Wyoming. He also holds a master's degree in elementary administration from South Dakota State University and a bachelor's degree in elementary education and psychology from Dakota Wesleyan University. Melmer and his wife, Valerie, have three children, Tara, Megan and Sean.
Dr. Rick Melmer, Dean USD School of Education