South Dakota State University. Office of Admissions

The Admissions Office at South Dakota State University has its roots in the institution’s earliest years, dating back to its founding as Dakota Agricultural College in the 1880s. Early admissions efforts were modest, consisting primarily of catalog announcements and classification documents aimed at informing prospective students of academic offerings and enrollment procedures. By the early 20th century, the office began producing more formal recruitment materials, including circulars of information and promotional pamphlets.

As the university grew through the mid-20th century, the Admissions Office expanded its scope to include targeted viewbooks, fact sheets, and correspondence campaigns designed to attract students from across South Dakota and beyond. The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw significant changes in both outreach and operations, including the development of newsletters, campus visit events such as Junior Day, orientation programming, and the adoption of digital tools for application and communication. Throughout its history, the office has adapted to changing enrollment trends, technologies, and institutional goals while continuing to serve as the gateway to the university for thousands of students.

Field of Activity: Universities and colleges--Admission