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Story from Pigeon605

Like building any bridge, forming a stronger connection between Brookings and Sioux Falls takes time and investment.

South Dakota State University committed both — and now is building on success that benefits each community.

“The most important thing we can do is tell that story,” SDSU President Barry Dunn said.

“SDSU offers practical degrees that students want and that our region needs: nurses, architects, engineers, business leaders, pharmacists, teachers, communicators, airplane pilots, precision agriculture professionals. The list really goes on and on.”

Speaking of lists, Dunn has several key priorities for strengthening ties between SDSU and Sioux Falls in the year ahead. Here’s a look at his top six for 2026:

Convey the message: SDSU offers high-value degrees at the right price

At a time when some question the value of a four-year degree, recent research from the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution shows that degrees like those offered at SDSU deliver real value — more than $1 million in additional lifetime earnings.

Just as importantly, SDSU students graduate with far less debt than their peers. About one-third of SDSU graduates leave with no federal student loan debt. The other two-thirds graduate with an average of $20,600 — roughly the cost of a used car. That’s more than $10,000 less than the South Dakota average and $18,000 less than the national average.

“In my time as president, we’ve decreased student debt by $5,000 while the national average has increased by $8,000,” Dunn said. “Strong scholarships and good student jobs in Brookings help, but at the end of the day, SDSU delivers outstanding value. Sharing that message in Sioux Falls is my top priority in 2026.”

Promote SDSU degrees that drive Sioux Falls

SDSU graduates are literally building Sioux Falls.

Consider the city’s recent second-best year for construction. The professionals behind that growth include SDSU-trained architects, interior designers, landscape architects and engineers — civil, mechanical, electrical and construction.

“We also have many degrees traditionally pursued by students from farm backgrounds that now offer excellent careers in Sioux Falls,” Dunn said. “We’re committed to doing a better job telling high school students about those opportunities.”

Examples include:

Dairy and food science: Dairy is a major global industry, and the science behind it employs many SDSU graduates. Sioux Falls students may hear “dairy” and picture tending cows, but this is a technical food science degree. These graduates work in food labs and make all the decisions that go into the products consumers pick up from their grocery aisle. Demand is strong, and jobs can pay close to six figures right out of college.

Agricultural communication: This program bridges the School of Communication and Journalism and the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. It’s a growing field with strong demand, and no agricultural background is required. Many jobs are based in cities such as Sioux Falls or Rapid City, where corporate agriculture headquarters are located — including companies and organizations tied to bioproducts, ethanol, corn and soybean industries.

Tourism: Trailing only agriculture, tourism is South Dakota’s second-largest industry. SDSU’s tourism and hospitality management program prepares graduates to lead in that field.

“Southeastern South Dakota’s tourism numbers now outpace the Black Hills,” Dunn said. “And when you think about hospitality — restaurants, retail and hotels — many South Dakotans think of Sioux Falls, especially downtown Sioux Falls. That industry, those businesses, are hungry for young, smart leaders. We have programs to help young people thrive in those fields.”

Expand campus visits for Sioux Falls students

Over the past four years, more than 5,000 Sioux Falls eighth graders have experienced academics and extracurricular activities on SDSU’s Brookings campus — a number that continues to grow each year.

“We’ve been very intentional about getting Sioux Falls students onto campus early, and we’re already seeing enrollment results,” Dunn said. “We’ve achieved a 10% increase in Sioux Falls students compared with two years ago and another 3% increase this academic year. The first group of eighth graders who visited us are now Sioux Falls seniors, so we expect to see even more impact in the next freshman class.”

SDSU also reconnects with those students during their freshman year through the Jackrabbit Ready program at the Washington Pavilion, bringing students and parents together to discuss next steps toward college.

“Our goal is to take the mystery out of it,” Dunn said.

This year, SDSU is piloting an expanded ninth grade campus visit with support from the Promising Futures Fund.

“Students will see classrooms and residence halls and hear a clear message: Now is the time to take academics seriously so they can qualify for SDSU scholarships down the road,” Dunn said.

Fully launch the SDSU Metro Center

By this summer, SDSU plans to officially complete the new SDSU Metro Center at 33rd Street and Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls.

The newly renovated building — a gift from lead donor Avera Health — was completed without state funding, thanks to SDSU donors. Forward Sioux Falls also has committed support, citing the center’s role in helping produce 1,200 additional health science professionals over the next five years.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Avera, Forward Sioux Falls and our donors,” Dunn said.

“This will be a flagship location for SDSU health sciences. While SDSU has offered nursing and pharmacy programs in Sioux Falls for nearly 30 years, this marks the first time those programs will be housed together in a single, highly visible location.”

The building will serve as a permanent home for SDSU’s Sioux Falls-based pharmacy, nursing, respiratory care, medical laboratory science and public health students.

The $19 million remodel is scheduled to wrap up in July. Some fundraising remains, but Dunn said he’s optimistic the project will be fully completed this year.

Grow programming through the Ness School at Startup Sioux Falls

SDSU has established a downtown Sioux Falls presence through its work at Startup Sioux Falls.

Paul Rann, SDSU’s program manager for urban economic development, along with SDSU Extension and the Ness School of Management and Economics, has been listening closely to the needs of for-profit and nonprofit partners.

“We’ll soon have relevant, high-value programs that add real value for Sioux Falls,” Dunn said. “I love that SDSU Extension plays a major role in this. It supports our land-grant mission by sharing campus expertise with the public. It will break down the proverbial ivory tower of higher education and offer practical business advice to anyone interested.”

Pursue additional partnerships

As SDSU works toward Research 1 status — the highest classification for research activity — interest in partnerships from Sioux Falls businesses, governments and nonprofits continues to grow.

For example, Aerostar recently used SDSU athletic facilities to test a stratospheric balloon while engaging with engineering students and faculty. SDSU’s bioproducts lab, which helps investors scale products from testing to market, is attracting national and international attention.

“There are more partnerships in the pipeline, and you’ll be hearing more about them throughout the year,” Dunn said. “These partnerships drive innovation, workforce development and good jobs for the region.”