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South Dakota State University's Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering has increased its research expenditures, nearly doubled its doctoral enrollment and has implemented high-impact research programs to help move the university towards Research 1 designation. 

Over the last two years, South Dakota State University has been working to attain Research 1 designation by the Carnegie Classifications of Higher Education. Research 1, or R1 as it is more commonly known as, is the highest level of designation given to research universities. South Dakota is one of only five states without an R1 university.

Achieving R1 classification has been a priority for the university due to the benefits it will provide the South Dakota economy. Research has shown that R1 universities help drive more innovations and knowledge into their state and region, produce more patented technologies, and recruit and retain world-class faculty and students. R1 universities are also incubators for startup companies and help move research discoveries into the marketplace.

To reach R1, the university must clear two benchmarks: at least $50 million in research expenditures on a year-to-year basis and 70 doctoral graduates, calculated using a three-year average. The Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering has played a decisive role in helping the university meet these benchmarks and move towards R1 recognition. 

“The Lohr College has made a handful of strategic decisions over the last few years to help push the university towards R1 recognition,” said Sanjeev Kumar, dean of the Lohr College. “We have developed innovative programs aimed to enhance our undergraduate and graduate student experience, we have added faculty members to grow our research portfolio, and we are engaging with industry partners to bring innovative solutions to South Dakota.”

Over the last five years, the Lohr College's research expenditures have increased by 62%, from $3.9 million in fiscal year 2020 to $6.47 million in fiscal year 2025. In that same time period, doctoral student enrollment has nearly doubled. 

"This growth reflects our sustained commitment to building a research culture that steadily churns outputs,” said Rajesh Kavasseri, associate dean for research in the Lohr College. “By investing in faculty, infrastructure and partnerships, the Lohr College has helped position the university for the expectations and opportunities that come with R1 status."

The Lohr College has implemented new programs aimed at cultivating the next generation of innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs. The Future Innovators of America program, started in 2023, aims at providing independent research opportunities to undergraduate students. The Future Scholars of America Program, started in 2025, is designed to develop a strong pipeline of doctoral students and graduates who excel in both research productivity and education. The Future Entrepreneurs of America program, launched this year, empowers undergraduate and graduate students with an entrepreneurial mindset by providing them the tools, networks, knowledge and resources to create startup companies.

"Strong research universities are sustained by scholars who excel in discovery and education," Kavasseri noted.

The Lohr College faculty have been highly successful in securing funding from federal, state and industry sources and in advancing collaborative projects. The college has recently welcomed several new faculty members, with five more expected to join in Fall 2026, which will strengthen and enhance the college’s research portfolio.

"The Lohr College is also implementing measures to improve doctoral mentoring and reporting policies to ensure the success in doctoral outcomes and improve graduation times," Kavasseri said. "These efforts will make our doctoral programs more efficient, streamlined and will boost their quality."

For more on SDSU's road to R1 designation: /office-president/pathway-premier-2030/r1-our-way