Native American student in red gown and mortarboard cap with feather at commencement

see what sets us apart

Discover your path at USD, where tradition meets opportunity. Explore our vibrant community, tailored support for Native students and events that celebrate culture.

Your Future Starts at USD

Your Journey. Your Community. Your Future.

At the University of South Dakota, we celebrate and support Native students with programs and opportunities designed to honor your heritage and help you thrive. As a student at our renowned liberal arts institution, you’ll gain a well-rounded education that builds critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills to empower you for any path you choose. Explore our campus, connect with your Tiospaye, and take the next step toward your goals. Together, we can shape a future rooted in tradition and built on success.

Explore how our dedicated resources, including the Native Student Services (NSS), Native American Cultural Center (NACC), Living & Learning Community, and Tiospaye programming, create a supportive environment for academic and personal growth. Mark your calendar for upcoming events like the Alumni Dinner, Native Basketball Game, and Wacipi. Plan your visit, learn more about our programs, and take the first step toward a degree that prepares you for a lifetime of success.

Your journey starts here! Schedule a visit today.

A student smiling and doing homework in the Native American Cultural Center.

Welcome to the NACC

Students enjoy the homelike environment and study space at the Native American Cultural Center. The NACC provides a welcoming environment where students can access meeting rooms, a computer lab, study spaces and lounge spaces as well as engage in social activities such as dinners, speakers, workshops and community gatherings.

A student participating in the Native Wacipi event, wearing a bright green and yellow outfit.

Connect with Native American Communities

Native Student Services maintains close relationships with South Dakota's Native communities as well as the more than 25 other tribal communities represented by students on our campus. You will learn from those relationships through speaker series, community gatherings, workshops, and connecting with your peers.

Three students sitting and smiling on the Native American Cultural Center couch.

Discover Your Community

Wiyuskinyan Unpi Tipi Living Learning Community is an immersive residential program that enhances the campus experience for Native American students.

Learn About Our Living Learning Communities

A native student wearing their tribal flag at a basketball game.

Annual Community Events

Native Student Services hosts Native Student Orientation in the summer, Native American Heritage Month in the fall, the Native Heritage Basketball game in the winter and the Native Graduate Honoring in the spring. Celebrating Native identity, culture and community is central to our commitment to providing greater representation across the University of South Dakota’s campus.