2026 News
April
April 2, 2026
DSU expands academic offerings with two new programs
DSU introduces new graduate degree and dual-credit certificate supporting educators and high school students.
March
March 31, 2026
DSU Researchers To Launch Expanded Microplastics Study
Project will provide hands-on research experience for undergraduate students.
March 31, 2026
Dakota State to Host Ignite Hackathon with Wildfire Labs
The three-day hackathon will bring participants together April 17–19 at the Beacom Institute of Technology to build and present AI-powered projects.
March 30, 2026
DSU Names Dr. John R. Ballard as Next President
The South Dakota Board of Regents has announced the selection of Dr. John R. Ballard as the next president of Dakota State University.
March 26, 2026
Four-year CyberAg Initiative to Conclude with Industry, Research Showcase
DSU and SDSU will conclude a four-year collaboration focused on cybersecurity in precision agriculture with a final event on Thursday, April 2.
March 25, 2026
DSU Sweeps Data Analytics Competition
Three student-led teams from Dakota State University swept top honors at the 4th annual Data Analytics Competition.
March 20, 2026
Finalists Announced in Dakota State University President Search
The South Dakota Board of Regents announces three finalists for the President position at Dakota State University in Madison, S.D.
March 20, 2026
Dakota State University Ready for Research Week
Dakota State University’s annual Research Week is set for March 23-27, highlighting DSU’s rising research efforts.
March 19, 2026
Dr. Darrel Sandall named Dean of College of Business & Information Systems
Dakota State University has announced Dr. Darrel Sandall as its next Dean of the College of Business & Information Systems.
March 18, 2026
DakotaCon returns to DSU March 27
DakotaCon, now in its 13th year, will take place on Friday, March 27 at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse. The one-day conference features focused talks and training with experts across cybersecurity industry.
March 18, 2026
DSU, SMIT to sign strategic partnership agreement
DSU and SMIT will formalize a new international academic partnership during a MOU signing ceremony at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24
March 17, 2026
Entrepreneurs Day set for March 27
DSU's eighth-annual Entrepreneurs Day returns to campus on Friday, March 27 at the Beacom PREMIER Complex, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
March 17, 2026
DSU, Sanford Health Hosting Data Analytics Competition
The 4th Annual Data Analytics Competition, hosted by the College of Business & Information Systems and Sanford Health, will take place Monday, March 23.
March 12, 2026
DSU students earn national recognition in NSA Codebreaker Challenge
Two students earned national recognition in the 2025 National Security Agency (NSA) Codebreaker Challenge.
March 11, 2026
DSU Applauds New Accounting Pathway Legislation
DSU is celebrating the signing of new South Dakota legislation designed to strengthen the accounting workforce and expand opportunities for students.
March 4, 2026
DSU names next General Beadle Honors Director
Dakota State University has named Dr. Daniel Spencer as the next director of the General Beadle Honors Program.
March 4, 2026
Building Resilient Digital Ecosystems
Dakota State University alumnus, Aravindh Sekar, Ph.D. ’24, developed the Strategic-Decentralized Resilience Theory framework to explain who why emerging technologies succeed or fail.
March 2, 2026
Exercise Science Program and expert faculty provide hands-on learning
Students in Dakota State University’s exercise science program gain more than textbook knowledge. They develop real-world skills through immersive, hands-on experiences led by expert faculty like Dr. Luke Chowning.
February
February 25, 2026
Stover Publishes Research on Online Adjunct Faculty Development
Dr. Leslie Stover has published a peer-reviewed article examining comprehensive onboarding and professional development models for online adjunct faculty.
February 25, 2026
Kenley Participates in Fulbright Scholar Liaison Training
Professor David Kenley recently participated in the 2026 Fulbright Scholar Liaison Training in Washington, D.C.
February 24, 2026
DSU hosts VEX V5 State Robotics Championship
Dakota State University is hosting the VEX V5 State Robotics Championship for middle and high school students on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28 in the Dakota State Fieldhouse.
February 11, 2026
Bird Call Exhibit open through March 20
The multi-artist exhibition Bird Call is on display in the Dakota State University First Bank & Trust Gallery now through March 20.
February 6, 2026
Sathoff selected for Excellence in Teaching Award
Dr. Andrew Sathoff has been selected for the American Phytopathological Society’s 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award.
February 3, 2026
Research reveals Microraptor could glide
Dr. Alex Dececchi and an international team of researchers have made another discovery related to dinosaurs and early flight.
January
January 30, 2026
Anthony and Kim DeMaria gift $350k to DSU
Longtime baseball supporters, Anthony and Kim DeMaria, will impact Trojan baseball players for years to come with their recent $350,000 gift for a brand-new baseball locker room within the Beacom PREMIER Complex.
January 29, 2026
CybHER to host Girl Scout Badge Day
DSU’s CybHER® program will host a Girl Scouts Badge Day on Saturday, February 7 in The Beacom Institute of Technology.
January 27, 2026
German international student balances track, school, and research
A multi-event track athlete, researcher, and lab assistant, international biology student Amelie Steins balances her chronically full schedule through discipline, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
January 26, 2026
CybHER partners with Scouting America
On Saturday, Jan. 31, DSU’s CybHER® will lead Programming Merit Badge activities for local Scout troop students ages 12-18.
January 20, 2026
DSU to host annual Global Game Jam site
Dakota State’s Computer Game Design program is hosting a Global Game Jam site the weekend of January 30-Feburary 1.
January 15, 2026
DSU PhD student named Top 20 voices in Automotive
DSU Ph.D. student Hemanth Tadepalli was recently named one of the Top 20 Voices in Automotives by Automotive IQ.
January 13, 2026
Trent Dawson to be Director of Governors Cyber Academy at DSU
Dr. Trent Dawson to be new Director of the Governors Cyber Academy at Dakota State University.