South Dakota Board of Regents
For immediate release: Thursday, June 30, 2005
For more information: Tracy Mercer, 605-773-3455 

USDSU Growth Continues as it Meets Education Needs in Sioux Falls

ABERDEEN, S.D. – USDSU continues to meet the demand for public higher education in the Sioux Falls area, growing nearly six percent in unduplicated headcount over the past year and delivering 3.2 percent more credit hours of instruction over the same time. Executive Dean Mark Lee, in his annual report to the South Dakota Board of Regents, said USDSU served 3,372 students in the three academic semesters ending this spring.

USDSU, the public higher education center in Sioux Falls, is a partnership of Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, and The University of South Dakota, which all offer courses and degree programs at the facility. “USDSU serves Sioux Falls.  All courses and programs offered at USDSU are in response to needs in the community,” Lee said.

Programs offered at USDSU include: health care, business, information technology, and graduate education programs. In January, 32 students signed up for USD’s new MBA Cohort Express program.  Delivered to USDSU by USD, the program allows students to earn a Master of Business Administration degree in less than 22 months. 

“The proof that we are answering Sioux Falls’ public higher education needs can be seen in our enrollment. Our enrollment keeps growing steadily each semester.  Every fall to fall and spring to spring we have seen increases,” said Lee.

“USDSU will continue to grow with Sioux Falls,” said Regents President Harvey C. Jewett. “And as the needs of the Sioux Falls community change, so will USDSU.”