Accreditation
Dakota State University or specific programs offered are accredited by the following agencies:
- The Higher Learning Commission
230 S. LaSalle St. - Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1413 • (312) 263-0456 • 1-800-621-7440
- Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Division of Education of the South Dakota Department of Education and Cultural Affairs
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- National Security Agency (NSA)
- State Approving Agency as programs eligible for veterans benefits
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
Mission Statement
The Legislature established Dakota State University as an institution specializing in programs in computer management, computer information systems, and other related undergraduate and graduate programs as outlined in SDCL 13-59-2.2. A special emphasis is the preparation of the elementary and secondary teachers with expertise in the use of computer technology and information processing in the teaching and learning process.
The Board implemented SDCL 13-59-2.2 by authorizing undergraduate and graduate programs that are technology-infused and promote excellence in teaching and learning. These programs support research, scholarly and creative activities and provide service to the State of South Dakota and the region. Dakota State University is a member of the South Dakota System of Higher Education.
Curriculum
Degrees are authorized at the associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctorate levels.
The following curriculum is approved for the university:
- Undergraduate Programs
- Associate degree programs are approved in business analytics, digital accounting, health informatics and information management, business management, network and security administration, project management, software development, web development and general studies.
- Baccalaureate programs are approved in health informatics and information management, business, computer game design, digital arts and design, education, English, computer information systems, artificial intelligence, artificial intelligence in organizations, computer science, network and security administration, cyber operations, mathematics, exercise science, elementary education, elementary education/special education, special education, secondary education, individualized studies, professional accountancy, and general studies.
- Graduate Programs
- Master’s degree programs are approved in technology education, information systems, cyber operations, cyber defense, health informatics and information management, analytics, computer science and business administration.
- Doctorate of Philosophy degree programs are approved in information systems, cyber defense, cyber operations and computer science.
Dakota State University’s strategic plan begins with our mission, vision, and values. These build a framework for our university goals. It builds on our strengths and focuses our attention and commitment on the most pressing issues we are distinctively positioned to address. As an important initiative, DSU continuously seeks to advance student success through highly engaged, high-impact educational practices.
The ADVANCE strategic plan began in 2022 and will continue to evolve through 2027 and beyond. We will consider our strengths and challenges as we bring stakeholders together to move our University forward. Our strategy focuses on quality, research, engagement, athletics, and student success.
https://dsu.edu/about-dsu/strategic-plan.html
Dakota State University’s History
Dakota State University was founded in 1881 as Dakota State Normal School, the first teacher education institution in Dakota Territory. Its mission was to recruit and educate young adults to become teachers for the growing communities in the region.
Over the decades, the university’s programs of study have evolved. In 1888, commercial studies were added, the forerunner to today’s majors in the College of Business and Information Systems. Humanities courses were added throughout the years as well, now gathered under the College of Arts & Sciences. Future elementary, secondary, and special education teachers continue to study in the College of Education.
Along with these program additions, there were several name changes, including Dakota Normal School, Eastern State Teachers College, General Beadle State College, and Dakota State College.
The biggest change for the university came in 1984, when the South Dakota Legislature and the South Dakota Board of Regents changed the mission of Dakota State to include and emphasize computer technology and information systems. The purpose of this legislative action was two-fold: it addressed economic development in the state, particularly in reference to the growing banking and financial services industry; it also added a technology focus to all program offerings.
To fulfill this mission, DSU faculty developed leading-edge computer technology and information systems degree programs. Several program developments led to new graduate degree programs, so on July 1, 1989, the South Dakota Legislature changed the name to Dakota State University, to reflect the expansion of the university’s degree options.
Dakota State University’s innovative curriculum led to national recognition. In 2004, DSU was one of ten colleges in the country named a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency. The university now has CAE distinctions in cyber defense education, cyber defense research, cyber operations, and is a CAE regional resource center.
Additionally, DSU is one of a few universities in the country that partners with the NSA National Cryptologic School, through which NSA military and civilian employees are able to finish undergraduate and graduate degrees in cyber operations. Dakota State also has articulation agreements with the Community College of the Air Force; students can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree on their way to a Bachelor of Science degree in Cyber Leadership and Intelligence, or take general education courses.
DSU has also focused on applying computer technology to traditional academic fields, leading to the development of unique, technology-focused degree programs in business, English, and art, to name a few. Traditional majors in the College of Business and Information Systems, such as accounting and finance, are infused with technology; new, technology-focused business programs of study include computer information systems and health information administration. English students major in English for New Media; fine arts students major in three specializations under the Digital Arts and Design degree, computer graphics, digital sound design, or production animation. All of DSU’s education majors receive a technology endorsement upon graduation.
To increase student access to the technology-centric programming, Dakota State University was the first university in the state – and one of the few in the country – to implement a wireless mobile computing initiative by providing all students with computer notebooks in 2004. This Wireless Mobile Computing Initiative continues today: all on-campus students receive a laptop when they begin their studies.
For 18 of the last 21 years, Dakota State University has seen steady increases in enrollment. Many are on-campus students, but to reach broader audiences, including non-traditional, rural, and international students, the institution began offering distance course options in 1989. Several undergraduate programs and all DSU’s graduate programs are now offered online.
Whether on campus or online, graduates of DSU programs enjoy enviable status in the national marketplace with an overall 99% placement rate, and in many programs that number is 100%.
In 2019, Dakota State’s leadership in all things cyber continued to rise with the opening of the Madison Cyber Labs, a research, development, and economic opportunity facility that is the first of its kind in the area. Work that will take place in the 40,000 square foot MadLabs building will drive innovation and ideas from DSU into the South Dakota economy, the Great Plains, and the nation, and draw talent to the state and region.
From its start as a small college on the prairie, Dakota State University is on an inspirational and world-changing trajectory to be a forward-thinking, innovative, technology-fueled organization. In the future, Dakota State will continue to foster true innovation and active engagement in teaching, learning, scholarship, research, and service.
Equal Opportunity
Dakota State University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal educational opportunity in all student services and in all staff and faculty employment actions, without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability.
Institutional Administration
Governance and Organization of the University
Dakota State University is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents and operates under the policies and regulations of the Regents. The President is the chief executive officer of the University. The principal officers of the University are the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Business & Administrative Services, the Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs, Vice President for Human Relations, Vice President for Research and Economic Development and the Vice President for Institutional Advancement. The general faculty oversee the policies and regulations governing academic and student affairs of the university. Committees are elected or appointed to address matters of importance to students and the faculty.
Executive Administration
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President |
Jose’-Marie Griffiths |
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Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs |
Rebecca Hoey |
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Vice President for Business and Administrative Services |
Stacy Krusemark |
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Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management |
Amy Crissinger |
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Vice President for Human Resources |
Deb Roach |
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Vice President for Research and Economic Develoment |
Ashley Podhradsky |
Academic Administration
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Dean, College of Arts and Sciences |
Stacey Berry |
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Dean, College of Business and Information Systems |
Dorine Bennett |
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Dean, Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences |
Mary Bell |
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Dean, College of Education |
David DeJong |
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Dean, Graduate Studies |
Mark Hawkes |
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Dean, Governor’s Cyber Academy |
Fenecia Homan |
Library Staff
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Mary Francis |
Director of the Karl Mundt Library |
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Rachelle McPhillips |
Reference Librarian, Assistant Librarian |
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Abbie Steuhm |
Reference Librarian, Assistant Librarian |
Graduate Faculty
KATIE Anderson (2014), Instructor of Reading and Language Arts
B.S., University of South Dakota
M.S., Black Hills State University
Ed.D., Walden University
RICHARD I. AVERY (1998), Professor of Mathematics
B.S., University of New Hampshire
M.A.T., University of New Hampshire
M.S., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
KRISTEL BAKKER (1998), Professor of Biology
B.S., South Dakota State University
M.S., South Dakota State University
Ph.D., South Dakota State University
MARY BELL (2023), Associate Professor and Dean of the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences
BBA, Las Curses
M.A., St. Mary’s University
Ph.D., Old Dominion University
WILLIAM BENDIX (2021), Associate Professor of International Relations & Intelligence
B.A., University of Waterloo
M.A., University of Waterloo
Ph.D., University of British Columbia
DORINE BENNETT (1987), Professor and Dean of the College of Business & Information Systems, RHIA, FAHIMA,
B.S., Dakota State University
M.B.A., University of South Dakota
Ed.D., University of South Dakota
STACEY L. BERRY (2010), Professor of English for New Media
B.A., Austin State University
M.S., Northern Illinois University
Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
JUSTIN BLESSINGER (2003), Professor of English
B.A., Tabor College
M.A., Emporia State University
Ph.D., University of South Dakota
PATTI BROOKS (2021), Assistant Professor of Health Information Systems
A.S., Dakota State University
B.S., Dakota State University
M.S., Dakota State University
D.Sc., Dakota State University
YEN-LING CHANG (2010), Associate Professor of Finance
B.S., National Cheng Chi University
M.B.A., National Cheng Chi University
M.S., Iowa State University
Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington
KYLE CRONIN (2011), Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator for Ph.D. in Cyber Defense
B.S., Dakota State University
M.S., Dakota State University
D.Sc., Capitol Technology University
DAVID DeJONG (2022), Professor and Dean of the College of Education
B.S., University of Northern Iowa
M.S., Drake University
Ed.D., University of Northern Iowa
EDWARD DENNIS (2017), Assistant Professor of Computer and Cyber Sciences
A.A.S., Southeast Technical Institute
B.A., University of Sioux Falls
M.S., Dakota State University
M.S., Colorado Technical University
D.Cs., Colorado Technical University
PATRICK ENGEBRETSON (2020), Assistant Professor of Computer and Cyber Sciences and Graduate
Program Coordinator for the Ph.D. in Cyber Operations
B.S., North Dakota State University
M.S., Dakota State University
D.Sc., Dakota State University
OMAR EL-GAYAR (2000), Professor of Information Systems
B.S., M.S., University of Alexandria (Egypt)
M.A., University of Hawaii at Manoa
Ph.D., University of Hawaii at Manoa
TYLER FLAAGAN (2019), Assistant Professor of Computer and Cyber Sciences
B.S., Dakota State University
M.S., Dakota State University
Ph.D., Dakota State University
MARY FRANCIS (2007), Professor, Reference and Instruction Librarian, Ombudsman
B.A., The Franciscan University
M.A., The University of Iowa
ROBERT GIRTZ (2017), Assistant Professor of Business & Economics
B.S., St. Cloud State University
M.A., Middle Tennessee State University
Ph.D., Middle Tennessee State University
TOM HALVERSON (1999), Associate Professor of Computer Science
B.A., University of Minnesota-Morris
M.S., University of Iowa
Ph.D., University of Iowa
MICHAEL HAM (2013) Associate Professor of Cyber Security/Network & Security
B.S., Dakota State University
M.S., Dakota State University
D.Sc., Dakota State University
YOUSSEF HARRATH (2023), Assistant Professor of Computer and Cyber Sciences
B.Sc., Science University
M.Sc., Polytechnic National Institute
Ph.D., Franche-Comte’ University
JOHN HASTINGS (2023), Associate Professor of Computer and Cyber Sciences
B.S., University of Wyoming
M.S., University of Wyoming
Ph.D., University of Wyoming
MARK HAWKES (1999), Professor of Instructional Technology, Dean of the Graduate Studies
B.S., Brigham Young University
M.S., Brigham Young University
Ph.D., Syracuse University
FENECIA HOMAN (2023), Assistant Professor and Dean of the Governor’s Cyber Academy
B.A., Augustana College
B.A., Minot State University
M.A., Minot State University
Ed.D., Sam Houston State University
VIKI JOHNSON (2006), Assistant Professor of Sociology
B.A., Dickinson State University
M.S., North Dakota State University
Ph.D., University of North Dakota
JIHENE KAABI (2023), Associate Professor of Computer and Cyber Sciences
B., University of Science
M.Sc., Polytechnic National Institute
M.Sc., University of Science & Technique
Ph.D., University of Science & Technique
DAVID KENLEY (2020), Professor and Coordinator of General Studies
B.A., Brigham Young University
M.A., University of Utah
Ph.D., University of Hawai’i
ANDREW KRAMER (2017), Assistant Professor of Computer and Cyber Science
A.A., College of the Redwoods
B.S., Dakota State University
M.S., in Applied Computer Science
Ph.D., Dakota State University
STEPHEN KREBSBACH (2000), Professor of Computer Science and Graduate Program Coordinator for the Ph.D. CS
B.S., Moorhead State University
M.S., Moorhead State University
Ph.D., North Dakota State University
JUN LIU (2012), Associate Professor of Information Systems and Graduate Program Coordinator for MSA
B.A., Nanjing University, China
M.S., University of Arizona
Ph.D., University of Arizona
BRENDA MERKEL (2022), Assistant Professor in Business and Information Systems
A.S., Dakota State University
B.S., Dakota State University and Northern State University
M.S., Northern State University
D.B.A., Anderson University
JASON MIXON (2021), Instructor of Computer and Cyber Sciences
B.B.A., West Texas A&M University
M.B.A., West Texas A&M University
SCOTT MORSTAD (2017), Assistant Professor of Accounting & Business Law
B.A., Augustana College
J.D., University of South Dakota
GABE MYDLAND (1998), Associate Professor of Education
B.S., Augustana College
M.S., South Dakota State University
Ph.D., University of South Dakota
JENNIFER NASH (2005), Associate Professor of Science Education
B.S., Minnesota State University, Mankato
Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
CHERIE NOTEBOOM (2009) Professor of Management Information Systems and Graduate Program Coordinator for Ph.D. Info Systems
B.S., South Dakota State University
M.B.A., University of South Dakota
E.D., University of South Dakota
Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Omaha
AUSTIN O’BRIEN (2015), Associate Professor of Computer Science and Graduate Program Coordinator for MS Computer Science
B.S., South Dakota State University
M.S., South Dakota State University
Ph.D., South Dakota State University
CHRIS OLSON (2006), Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems
B.S., Dakota State University
M.S., Dakota State University
Ph.D., Northcentral University
INSU PARK (2014) Associate Professor of Information Systems
B.C., Hanyang University
M.S., Hanyang University
Ph.D., State University of NY, Buffalo
MICHAEL ROACH (2002), Assistant Professor of Economics
B.S., University of South Dakota
M.B.A., University of Sioux Falls
Ph.D., Capella University
RONGHUA SHAN (1998), Professor of Information Systems and Graduate Program Coordinator for MS Information Systems
B.E., Zhejiang University of Technology, Zhejiang, China
Post Graduate Diploma - China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing, China
M.A., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
KEVIN SMITH (2013), Associate Professor of Mathematics Education and Program Coordinator for MS Education Technology
B.S.Ed., Dakota State University
M.Ed., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ed.D., University of Memphis
MARK SPANIER (2015), Associate Professor of Cryptography
B.S., North Dakota State University
Ph.D., North Dakota State University
RENAE L. SPOHN (2012), Associate Professor of Health Information Management, RHIA, CPHQ, FAHIMA, FNAHQ, and Program Coordinator for MS Health Informatics and Information Management
A.S., Colorado Technical University
A.S., Dakota State University
B.S., Dakota State University
M.B.A., City University (Bellevue, WA)
Additional study, Colorado Technical University
DANIEL TALLEY (1996), Professor of Economics and Graduate Program Coordinator for MBA in General Management
B.S., University of Puget Sound
Ph.D., University of Oregon
DEB TECH (1999), Associate Professor of Marketing
B.A., Concordia Teachers College
M.B.A., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ph.D., Northcentral University
BRENT TULLOSS (2001), Lecturer of Information Systems
B.S., Dakota State University
M.S., Dakota State University
VARGHESE VAIDYAN (2022), Assistant Professor of Computer and Cyber Science
B.T., University of Calicut
M.S., University of Glasgow
Ph.D., Iowa State University
YONG WANG (2012), Associate Professor / Senior Researcher and Graduate Program Coordinator for Ph.D. in Cyber Operations
B.S., Wuhan University, China
M.Eng., Wuhan University, China
Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
CODY WELU (2017), Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Cyber Security
B.S., Dakota State University
M.S., Dakota State University
Ph.D., Dakota State University
JULIE WULF-PLIMPTON (2016), Assistant Professor of Health Information
B.S., Dakota State University
M.S., Dakota State University
QIANG (David) ZENG* (2017), Assistant Professor/Researcher of Information Systems
B.S., Dalian Jiaotong University
M.S., California State University
M.B.A., University of California
Ph.D., University of California
SHAWN ZWACH (2019) Assistant Professor of Computer and Cyber Sciences
B.S., Dakota State University
M.S., Dakota State University
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