South Dakota State University

Mission, Vision, History, & Governance

Mission

South Dakota State University offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation, and the world.

Vision

South Dakota State University will be a premier land-grant university recognized for high value, innovation, and bold impact.

History

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive institution. As South Dakota’s Morrill Act land-grant university, with students from all 50 states and over 80 countries. SDSU offers more than 200 undergraduate majors, minors and options with many of these leading to graduate and professional degrees. The University also offers courses at various off-campus sites as well as undergraduate and graduate programs online through the Office of Continuing and Distance Education.

University Governance

A public, land-grant institution, SDSU was founded in 1881, authorized by the Dakota Territorial Legislature, and is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, according to state law. The Agricultural Experiment Station was established and linked to the University in 1887 under the federal Hatch Act to conduct research that “concerns agriculture and the home.” In 1914 the Cooperative Extension Service was added by the Smith-Lever Act to “provide information to the people of the State.” Both the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service are administered by the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.