“I earned my M.A. in English, the first woman in my family to earn a graduate degree,” said Hartman. That educational experience was marked by intellectually engaging English courses, the opportunity to lead classes as a teaching assistant and connections that would turn into long-lasting friendships.

After later earning her Ph.D. in sociology, Hartman returned to USD—this time as a member of the faculty.

Today, Hartman is a senior lecturer on the USD – Sioux Falls campus and serves as the sociology coordinator in the Department of Anthropology & Sociology. She has a particular appreciation for USD’s satellite campus in Sioux Falls and the students who enroll there.

“The students bring life to the classroom,” Hartman shared. “Many are working adults, and some even have families. It is rewarding to see students grow from being unsure if college is right for them to becoming active, engaged, confident students who encourage each other.

“Once they learn what sociology entails, they seem eager to learn,” Hartman added. “I find great meaning in the work done at USD as we develop students to thrive in an ever-changing society.”

Cheryl Hartman sits around a conference table with her students during a class. Some are smiling at the camera while others are looking at their laptops and notes.

Hartman has been an active member of the campus community beyond the classroom, helping develop an accelerated program, supervising the Sociology Club and supporting students as they created an extension of USD’s student-run food pantry in Sioux Falls. With Hartman’s leadership, sociology students on the campus have opportunities to participate in projects that have real-world impact.

Her contributions have not gone unnoticed. Hartman was honored as Professor of the Game at a 2024 basketball game, received the prestigious Belbas-Larson Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2026, received the Johnson Family Outstanding Instructor Award for the College of Arts & Sciences in 2025, and completed the President’s Executive Leadership Institute at USD, among other achievements.

For Hartman, giving back to the USD community in this way is a full-circle moment.

“Having been a student at USD and now being on the faculty means I have a heart for working at this university,” Hartman said. “Never have I been in such a supportive working environment where the university values its people and lets them know it. I have to admit, I am extremely proud to say I work at USD. It has been the high point of my career to get to work at this university.”

What makes USD feel like home: “What makes USD make me feel at home is as simple as having an office where students and other faculty can drop in. The cordial interactions and support from faculty, staff and students make me feel I belong.”

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