Dakota State University

Dakota State University (DSU) is a public, non-profit institution that was established in 1881 as a "normal school", the first teacher education institution in Dakota Territory. Today, DSU has been designated as South Dakota's information technology university and is a leader in integrating information technology into the academic disciplines of its curriculum. Academic rigor and the infusion of information technology into teaching, research, creative activity and service are at the heart of the University's work. As a result of the University's very focused mission, all academic programs -- even those that appear to be similar to programs elsewhere, such as English or biology - are a unique fusion of applied technology and discipline-specific courses. To support its very focused, information technology mission, the University has a wired technology infrastructure (1 gigabyte to every desktop) overlayed with a wireless infrastructure that extends to all corners of the University campus, including the arena, the wellness center, and the football/track stadium. The University implemented a wireless mobile computing initiative (WMCI) in 2004, which puts a tablet PC (currently a Fujitsu T730) in the hands of all on-campus students. Each classroom and campus meeting room includes a projection system that instructors, students, or meeting participants can access by logging into the University's wireless network and selecting that room's projector. DSU's sports teams travel on specially equipped buses, so that students retain wireless access to their student accounts (email, web space and course management websites), even when they travel to out-of-town sports events.

In addition to its pervasive, technology-rich infrastructure, Dakota State University prides itself in providing students with an open, friendly, safe, challenging, and collaborative environment. The University encourages all students to participate in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities that enrich their academic experience - discipline-specific and personal interest clubs, sports, faculty-student research, and service learning, to name a few. Its faculty and staff are high-quality, caring, and student-focused. The institution is proud of its graduates and the exceptionally high job placement levels they achieve.

Dakota State University is recognized by both the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Excellence in Information Assurance Education. The University also includes a Center for Information Assurance in Banking and Finance, a Center for Advancement of Health Information Technology and a Center of Excellence in Computer Information Systems.

Dakota State University is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools as an AQIP (Academic Quality Improvement Program) institution. Dakota State University's participation in AQIP accreditation reflects the institution's on-going commitment to organizational learning and institutional improvement. At DSU, the AQIP accreditation process works in tandem and in harmony with the University's other continuous improvement processes, most notably its strategic planning processes, its institutional effectiveness processes, its program review processes and its assessment processes. Its AQIP action projects provide a framework for improvement that focuses on data analysis and achievement of the University's publicly declared goals and objectives.