The best of six universities, all in one place.

Officially called South Dakota Public Universities and Research Center, University Center is a face-to-face course delivery site where students can earn degree programs from six South Dakota universities in Sioux Falls (learn more about the partner universities). University Center facilities are multi-use/multi-format and state-of-the-art with the express goal of building upon South Dakota's human potential and capital. Created to provide access to a quality public education, with a special focus on providing opportunities for non-traditional and adult learners, the focus is on academics: offering some of the same aspects as campus locations: challenging curriculum, college scholarships, respected faculty, and a variety of student services.

 

Created to serve our community as a unique state entity, UC works with the Sioux Falls community toward economic development and formed several partnerships with local businesses and organizations to meet their human capital needs. We also support and develop research facilities and partnerships to promote growth in commercialized research. And for the entire community, we offer programs for lifelong learning and professional development. In its essence, UC is growth. Growth for our community, growth for our local economy and growth for our students in their careers and personal lives.

 

Our Mission Statement

To meet the developing human capital needs of the changing local economy, the South Dakota Public Universities and Research Center provides the greater Sioux Falls area convenient local access to quality academic programs, lifelong learning opportunities and student services from the six universities in the South Dakota Regental System. The University Center organizes facilities and support for university research and appropriate public/private research and innovation partnerships.

 

Our History

Following is a brief timeline of the major changes and events that have demonstrated a drive to meet the educational needs of Sioux Falls and our local community.

---

1992

University Center, then titled "The Center for Public Higher Education (CPHE)," was located downtown Sioux Falls in what was then called the Bergeland Center.

---

2001

In January, University Center, then called "USD.SDSU.DSU at Sioux Falls," and then "USDSU," moved to the Southeast Technical Institute campus in north Sioux Falls allowing for greater face-to-face course offerings at 50,000 square feet of space.

---

2005

The SDBOR established University Center.

---

2006

On March 9th, Gov. Mike Rounds signed House Bill 1238 and House Bill 1244. One of the bills, HB 1238, authorized the South Dakota Board of Regents to accept a $5.8 million grant from the GreatPlains Education Foundation for the purpose of acquiring 263 acres of land from the state Department of Transportation. The other, HB 1244, provided $8 million in state funds for the construction of a classroom building on the site. Immediate plans in Sioux Falls call for construction of two buildings—the $8 million classroom building authorized by the 2006 Legislature and a $6. 3 million center for graduate education and applied research, which has come to be known as the GEAR Center. The GEAR Center is funded by $4.3 million in federal earmarks and $2 million from the state’s Higher Education Facilities Fund (HEFF). In 2005, the Legislature authorized the GEAR center and a classroom building in Sioux Falls as part of the Regents’ 10-year capital plan. A second phase of classroom construction, part of the 2005 capital plan, will occur when finances and student demand permit. See also, SB 106.

---

2009-2011

In January, near the I-29 and 60th Street North intersection, the first building (FADM) was built at Career Avenue in Sioux Falls housing administration and classrooms. Additionally,  These are the Graduate Education and Applied Research (GEAR) Center was built to the east of Career Avenue.  In August 2011 a third facility on the new campus opened – The Science and Technology Classroom Building. Most classes are held either in UC Main or the Science and Technology Classroom building. However, some nursing classes meet in The Health Science Center (HSC), which is located at 2300 Career Avenue, two miles south on the Southeast Tech campus. 

---