President Sheila K. Gestring
Sheila K. Gestring, M.B.A., became the 18th president of the University of South Dakota in 2018, after serving as chief financial officer since 2010 and a part of the USD finance staff since 2006. She is a South Dakota native, and the second USD graduate and woman to serve as president.
Learn About President Gestring
Strategic Plan
Our current Strategic Plan has provided a strong foundation for teaching, service, and research through 2026. Building on this momentum, USD is now entering the initial stages of development for our 2031 Strategic Plan. We remain committed to the same collaborative spirit that shaped our current goals as we begin defining the future of the university.
University Senate
The USD University Senate is the faculty representative body. The Senate has the responsibility to act as the voice of the faculty and helps to oversee university curriculum, student organizations and provides recommendations for graduation among other duties.
University Committees
University committees are the collaborative foundation of our shared governance, where faculty, staff, and students work together to shape institutional policy and advance our academic mission.President's Executive Leadership Institute
Explore the complex world of higher education and gain valuable and transferable leadership skills through the President's Executive Leadership Institute. Through this unique professional development opportunity for campus-based administrators and leaders, program fellows will learn about issues facing higher education broadly and the University of South Dakota specifically.
New News Carousel
2026 Unite for USD Sets Record With Over $3M Raised
With over 1,500 donors and 2,500 gifts made, the 2026 Unite for USD event raised a record $3.3 million for the Coyote community.
Alan Sazama Named Chair of Newly Established Emergency Medicine Department
Dr. Alan Sazama '14 has been named inaugural chair of the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine’s new Department of Emergency Medicine.
Becca Jordre Honored with National Physical Therapy Award
A professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of South Dakota has been honored with an American Physical Therapy Association award.
Fulk Graduates From Rural Health Fellowship Program
Janet Fulk, assistant director of the Frontier And Rural Medicine program at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, has graduated from the National Rural Health Association’s 36th Annual Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C.
executive committee
Sheila Gestring
Jay Perry
Kurt Hackemer
Specialty
Jordan Bonstrom
AJ Franken
Julie Kriech
Laura McNaughton
Scott Pohlson
Tim Ridgway
Jon Schemmel
Noah Shepard
