University of South Dakota Names Betsy Becker, Ph.D., DPT, as Dean of the School of Health Sciences
Becker, a 2014 alumna of the USD Department of Physical Therapy, brings a wealth of experience in academic leadership and clinical practice. She most recently served as chair of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Allied Health Professions at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), a post she has held since 2020. Her tenure at UNMC spanned over two decades, where she rose from lecturer to tenured professor, also serving as graduate faculty and director of the physical therapy department.
“Betsy’s deep roots in health sciences education, combined with her proven leadership in program development and accreditation, make her well prepared to guide the School of Health Sciences into its next chapter of growth and innovation,” said Dr. Tim Ridgway, vice president of the Division of Health Affairs at USD.
Becker’s administrative expertise includes initiating the physical therapist assistant program at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she also served as chair. Nationally recognized for her service, she is an accreditation consultant and a member of numerous state and national boards, including six years as chair of the Nebraska Board of Physical Therapy and four on the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy.
A clinician at heart, Becker practiced physical therapy for 14 years across Nebraska and Arizona, with a specialized interest in women’s health. She is also a certified lymphedema therapist through the Lymphology Association of North America.
Becker earned her Master of Physical Therapy from UNMC in 1999, followed by her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of South Dakota and a Ph.D. from UNMC.
Becker will officially begin her role in the School of Health Sciences in July 2026.
