President Ballard outlines vision for DSU’s future at Fall Kickoff Breakfast

August 18, 2026

MADISON, S.D. - Dakota State University President Dr. John Ballard challenged faculty and staff to help shape the University's future during the Fall 2026 Kickoff Breakfast on Monday, Aug. 17.

The annual event at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse brought the campus community together ahead of the new academic year for updates from University leadership, recognition of employees, and a look at DSU's priorities for the months and years ahead.

For Ballard, who began serving as DSU's 24th president this summer, the morning also provided an opportunity to share his vision with the broader campus community. He emphasized increased communication and transparency, noting that he plans to spend significant time meeting with faculty and staff and learning more about their work.

Ballard said DSU has tremendous momentum and is already accomplishing work that distinguishes it nationally. His goal is to build on that foundation and further establish Dakota State as a national leader in affordable, technology-centered education.

"This university right here really punches above its weight, really does some fantastic things, and bubbles to the top in so many different categories," Ballard said.

He outlined three primary priorities for the University: student success, strengthening DSU's faculty and staff, and serving South Dakota.

Student success, Ballard said, goes beyond graduation rates. DSU must continue ensuring its academic programs remain current and relevant as technology, workforce needs, demographics, and student expectations change. The University also must equip graduates with the skills they need to succeed throughout their careers.

Supporting the faculty and staff who make that work possible is equally important. Ballard said DSU must invest in professional development, improve policies and processes that create barriers to success, and foster a culture where employees feel comfortable bringing forward ideas.

"Without this team there is no such thing as a university," he said. "We will invest in our people to ensure we stay on the cutting edge."

His third priority is strengthening DSU's service to South Dakota. As a public university, Ballard said Dakota State has an obligation to support the state through its academic programs, graduates, research, and economic development efforts.

"We are here to support our fellow citizens, our fellow South Dakotans," he said.

Those priorities will help guide DSU as it develops its next strategic plan. The University is entering the final year of its current plan, and Ballard expects faculty, staff, students, alumni, partners, and other stakeholders to participate in creating a new vision that will guide DSU through 2032.

That planning comes at a time when higher education is experiencing significant changes. Ballard pointed to artificial intelligence, changing demographics, workforce demands, financial pressures, and evolving student expectations as forces that will reshape universities. He said DSU is well-positioned for that environment because of its technology-focused mission, affordability, graduate outcomes, and emphasis on producing cyber-savvy problem-solvers.

"The future of Dakota State will not be determined simply by a bunch of senior administrators gathered around a conference table in Heston Hall," Ballard said. "It will be shaped by faculty, staff, students, partners, networking, stakeholders all across this university and across the region."

Following Ballard's remarks, members of University leadership provided updates on DSU's budget, research and economic development activities, the Applied Research Lab in Sioux Falls, and upcoming alumni events.

The event also included the presentation of the True Trojans Awards, recognizing faculty and staff for their contributions to Dakota State.

Team and individual honorees included the following:

• Team of the Year - Academic Support Services (Kristen Uilk, Addie Borah, James Dotter, Lisa Hardie, Dana Hoff, Penny Johnson, Kati Larsen, Christine Souter)
• CSA Outstanding Contributor - Jena Martin, Assistant Director of Marketing Operations & Production Center
• NFE Outstanding Contributor - Teresa Maier, Sponsored Programs Analyst
• Staff Outstanding Contributor - Kristen Uilk, Director of Academic Support Services
• Faculty Outstanding Contributor - Dr. Jeffrey Elbert, Assistant Professor, College of Arts & Sciences
• Emerging Leader - Dr. Leslie Ham, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Autumn Glanzer, Associate Registrar
• Outstanding Leadership - Kindra Schneider, Assistant Professor/Department Chair, Teacher Education

As the new academic year begins, Ballard closed by reminding employees that each person has a role in DSU's continued rise.

"We have fantastic opportunities here at DSU, and it's on all of us to take full advantage of those and to bring the wonderful gifts that we have to students today and in the future," he said.

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