Academics
Interim dean of fine arts named full-time dean
Bruce Kelley has been named dean of Fine Arts after serving as interim dean of the college since February. Kelley arrived at USD in 2007 as an Associate Professor of Music. He was promoted to full Professor in 2013, then was appointed Assistant Provost in March of 2019 before being named interim dean of Fine […]
Institute of American Indian Studies to return to USD
Since 1990, South Dakota has celebrated Native American Day instead of Columbus Day on the second Monday of October each year. This year, USD celebrated the holiday by announcing the revitalization of the Institute of American Indian Studies (IAIS). The IAIS, originally established at USD in 1955, was discontinued in 2009 after losing funding due […]
Student services provides free laptops for USD students
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as CARES Act, has helped provide eligible USD students with free computers. USD Student Services has been aiding students with free computers who have applied for financial aid, are Pell Grant eligible and have been affected in any way by COVID-19. They had purchased it through […]
USD professor conducts research study to improve mental health
Occupational therapy helps people of all ages who have physical, sensory and cognitive problems. One USD professor is taking a closer look at how occupational therapy can affect mental health, particularly the mental health of college students. Moses Ikiugu is a professor and director of research for the occupational therapy department at USD. Since the […]
TRiO continues to serve USD students
USD’s branch of TRiO, the federal service for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, is continuing to serve and support students. Because of new grant funds, TRiO will officially continue for five more years. Through the U.S. Department of Education, TRiO received the Student Support Services grant in August of this year. This grant is given every […]
State’s Only AI Program to come to USD
USD will now be the first university in South Dakota to offer a certificate and specialization in artificial intelligence (AI). The new program will allow undergraduate and graduate students of all majors to get the certificate or specialization. KC Santosh, USD’s Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Computer Science Program, said AI is […]
Mock trial team holds court online
USD’s mock trial team has continued to try cases in spite of the ongoing pandemic. To avoid spreading disease, the team has begun holding rounds over Zoom. When the COVID-19 pandemic began during the spring semester of 2020, mock trial’s season was cut short. Melody Beaulieu, co-captain of USD’s mock trial team, said the American […]
Co-teachers help motivate students through virtual, in-person learning
For most USD students, their last year of college is spent on campus making final memories on campus and in Vermillion before they prepare for life after graduation. Education majors, however, spend their last year off-campus in a year-long teaching residency. The USD School of Education partners with surrounding school districts to provide students the […]
USD President discusses five-year plan at university address
At the State of the University Address on Sept. 24, USD President Sheila Gestring outlined the university’s strategic plan to improve USD over the next five years. She also brought up the state of enrollment at USD and announced new plans for Julian Hall. During the 2019-2020 academic year, a committee of 42 faculty and […]
USD RED allows students to contribute information, access data worldwide
USD Research, Engage and Design (RED), an online data repository, was created over two years ago. RED allows worldwide sharing of scholarly and creative works created by USD faculty, students and institutional partners. RED is a service of the University of South Dakota University Libraries. Daniel Daily, dean of libraries, said the vision for RED […]