USD President Sheila K. Gestring Delivers State of the University Address
Last week, in conjunction with the South Dakota Board of Regents, the university reported strong enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year, with fall numbers reaching more than 10,000 students for the third consecutive year, including nearly 1,200 first-time freshmen across its Vermillion and Sioux Falls campuses.
As enrollment remains strong, USD continues to open new facilities, launch new programs, expand research and strengthen partnerships—all while creating new opportunities and resources for students. Across its Vermillion and Sioux Falls campuses, USD is building a future-ready environment that supports students’ long-term success through mentorship, internships, career coaching and opportunities to build the skills they need to succeed.
“USD has always been a place where potential becomes impact. We see it when students become leaders, when ideas become solutions and when education creates opportunities that strengthen South Dakota,” said Gestring. “That is what it means to build a future-ready campus: a university designed around students’ long-term success. Every academic, co-curricular, athletic, technological and physical investment should strengthen retention, persistence, graduation, career readiness and post-graduate outcomes. Just as important, every student should feel known and supported as a Coyote. From a student’s first interaction with USD to a first job placement, we want that student to be prepared to lead in life, work and community.”
To further support student success, USD maintains its focus on providing state-of-the-art facilities for learning, teaching, research and community engagement. These modern spaces are tailored to support academic excellence and foster collaboration, innovation and real-world experiences that prepare students to thrive beyond the classroom.
Recent and ongoing projects include a completed a $6.5 million renovation of the Knudson School of Law; the renovated Archaeology Laboratory (ARCHLab); renovations to the Churchill-Haines Laboratory; the Sanford School of Medicine’s move of Pillar 1 of its Doctor of Medicine program to Sioux Falls; the groundbreaking for the Gassen Family Fieldhouse; and various updates and renovations to campus halls to improve the places USD students call home.
“We do not build the future alone,” said Gestring. “The South Dakota Board of Regents, the South Dakota Legislature, Governor Larry Rhoden, our partners and friends have invested in these projects that strengthen teaching, research and service at USD. We are deeply grateful for their support.”
The president’s address also highlighted academic programs that continue to create new pathways in innovative fields while strengthening the disciplines that have long defined a USD education.
Highlighted programs include the launch of the online Master of Design in human-computer user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) in the College of Fine Arts. This program is the first of its kind in South Dakota and the first in the state to directly address the educational and workforce gap in UX and UI.
Building on the commitment to meet workforce needs, the School of Health Sciences has added a radiologic technology specialization to its Bachelor of Science in health sciences. This program creates accessible, high-demand educational opportunities for students who want to be part of the growing field of radiologic technology—setting them on the path to perform imaging procedures like X-rays, CT scans and MRIs that physicians use to diagnose medical conditions and injuries.
Gestring also highlighted the Public Service Pathway program, the Registered Apprenticeship Program and the Sales Center as innovative initiatives that are serving the workforce in South Dakota.
“Over the next decade, USD must continue creating programs that respond to today’s workforce and anticipate tomorrow’s,” said Gestring. “As South Dakota’s flagship university, we have a responsibility not only to meet the state’s needs, but to see those needs coming.”
Beyond the classroom, Gestring emphasized how USD is immersing itself in new research and innovation efforts.
With support from the Governor’s Research Center program, USD and university partners across the state are launching the Governor’s Research in Aging Center of Excellence, or GRACE. GRACE will bring together biomedical engineering, movement science, physical therapy, AI and cybersecurity, public health, and community education to preserve movement, function and independence in older individuals.
Gestring also shared insights about the university’s Research Week. This event provided students from all disciplines with an opportunity to work together, experiment with emerging technologies and develop solutions to complex challenges. Likewise, Gestring touched on how the university embraces both technology and the liberal arts—highlighting how the humanities help make students trusted stewards of technology.
These efforts reflect USD’s commitment to preparing students for the workforce and are made possible in part by the generosity of those who believe in USD and its programs.
Building on last year’s record-breaking giving, donors contributed more than $53 million through nearly 8,000 gifts from 4,200 donors. Those investments support scholarships, programs, faculty excellence and facilities, creating an impact that Coyotes experience today and for generations to come.
“The future of USD will not be defined by a single building, a single program or a single innovation,” said Gestring. “It will be defined by the people who believe education changes lives, the people who believe service matters and the people who believe South Dakota deserves a bright future.”
Gestring also acknowledged the following faculty and staff members with the President’s Legacy Award:
- Nate Steele
- Michael Allgrun, Ph.D.
- Julie Kriech
- Lori Hansen, M.D.
USD alumnus PJ Maloney ’58 was awarded the inaugural Community Champion Award.
For more information shared in the State of the University, please watch the full address on YouTube.
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