Dakota State University students walking around campus

Preparation + opportunity = success

That's the DSU equation. We're a four-year university with nationally recognized programs, cutting-edge facilities, and the brightest thinkers. But we're also a tight-knit, inclusive community. Small class sizes mean hands-on training and individualized attention. All this with an affordable, public school price that's among the best values in the region.

Majors & Degrees

Shawn Jaacks

Shawn Jaacks

Shawn Jaacks

Chief Information Officer

Department

Information Technology Services

Biography

Shawn Jaacks is the Chief Information Officer (CIO). His IT career has spanned over 20 years, in diverse sectors including transportation, healthcare, government operations, education, and most recently finance, as Technology Manager at First Bank & Trust. He is also a DSU alumnus, having earned his Master of Science degree in Cyber Defense in 2021. This combination brings the best of all worlds to this position.

As CIO, Shawn serves as the operational arm of ITS, responsible to lead, direct, and manage campus data communications, academic technology, administrative systems, financial technology, training, user support, and IT security systems. He also manages a wide variety of information technology needs across the entire organization while maintaining alignment with our organizational mission of being a technology leader.

Shawn knows first-hand that the education students receive at DSU is great preparation for individuals who plan to work not only as cybersecurity and IT professionals, but for all careers.

He grew up in rural Moody County and has an associate degree from Southeast Tech, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management and Operations from the University of Sioux Falls.

Contact

Office Location: Karl E Mundt Library
Phone: 605-256-5675
Email