American Indian Student Center Records

The American Indian Education and Cultural Center first opened in 2010. It was located on the southwest side of campus near the Academic Evaluation and Assessment building and the Jerome J. Lohr Building.
The American Indian Education and Cultural Center had three main purposes. First, the center worked to recruit Native American students to campus. Second, the center workers to retain Native Americans students by providing support. Third, help Native American students’ graduate college. In 2016, the name of the center was changed to the American Indian Student Center under Director April Eastman. During this time, the location of the American Indian Student Center moved to the lower level of enrollment services. This was due to the Alumni Center being built where the old American Indian Education and Cultural Center was housed. In 2017, the American Indian Student Center received $4.5 million dollars from donors to create a new center for Native American students. In 2020, The American Indian Student Center moved to its new location just south of Rotunda. The American Indian Student Center continues to support the three main purposes of the American Indian Education and Cultural Center, but also has expanded on the retainment of Native American Students. The American Indian Student Center continues to support Native American students' retention by provide tutoring, computers, financial assistance, drum rooms, art rooms, and study spaces.
The American Indian Student Center also assists Indigenous clubs by providing space for meetings, planning events, and answering club related questions. The American Indian Student Center helped coordinated events like the South Dakota State University Wacipi (Powwow) with the Native American Club. The Wacipi has allowed Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to participate in traditional dances and cultural experiences.