Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
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Description area
Dates of existence
History
The University Center in Sioux Falls, formally known as the South Dakota Public Universities and Research Center, emerged from a practical idea with statewide ambition: bring public higher education directly to South Dakota’s largest city without duplicating entire campuses. Established under the direction of the South Dakota Board of Regents, the Center was designed as a cooperative site where multiple public universities could offer degree programs in one shared facility.
In its early years, the site was often informally referred to as “USDSU,” reflecting the strong presence of both University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University programming in Sioux Falls. Over time, the collaborative model expanded to include additional institutions such as Dakota State University, Black Hills State University, Northern State University, and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
The Center became a vital access point for place-bound students, working adults, and degree-completion learners in the Sioux Falls region. Through this shared-campus structure, students could earn accredited degrees from South Dakota’s public universities while remaining in the state’s primary economic hub.
In 2019, the Board of Regents approved a restructuring plan to transition the University Center into a branch campus of the University of South Dakota, marking a new chapter in its evolution. Throughout its history, the University Center has reflected South Dakota’s pragmatic approach to higher education: collaboration over competition, access over distance, and statewide service anchored in Sioux Falls.