Dec 13, 2024  
2019-2020 SDSM&T Academic Catalog 
    
2019-2020 SDSM&T Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

University Information


 

Dr.  James Rankin, 19th President of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

 

Vision, Mission, Values, and Strategic Priorities

Our VISION is to develop world-class leaders in science and engineering to benefit society.

Our MISSION is to educate scientists and engineers to address global challenges, innovate to reach our creative potential, and engage in partnerships to transform society.

We VALUE integrity, ingenuity, inclusion, and impact.

For the latest updates on Mines’ Strategic Priorities, please see: https://www.sdsmt.edu/About/Strategic-Plan/

2019-2020 Academic Year

The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is one of six universities operating under the authority assigned by the Constitution of the State of South Dakota to the nine-member Board of Regents. The mission of the university is established by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota with programs and organization approved by the Board of Regents. The president is delegated to administer the operation of the university. The traditional collegial process of shared governance for the formation of policies and oversight includes representative organizations to provide recommendations to the president for implementation as appropriate.

South Dakota Board of Regents

Mr. Kevin Schieffer, President
Mr. John Bastian, Vice President
Mr. Jim Morgan, Secretary
Mr. Jim Thares
Mr. Randy Schaefer
Ms. Pam Roberts
Ms. Joan Wink
Mr. David Mickelson
Mr. Lucas Lund

Executive Director

Dr. Paul Beran

South Dakota Public Higher Education Institutions

Black Hills State University, Spearfish
Capital University Center, Pierre
Dakota State University, Madison
Northern State University, Aberdeen
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Rapid City
South Dakota State University, Brookings
Black Hills State University-Rapid City, Rapid City
University Center, Sioux Falls
University of South Dakota, Vermillion

SD Mines Councils

Executive Council

The Executive Council is the principal administrative unit at the university. The council members are the President, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Director of Marketing and Communications, Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students, Vice President for Research, Director of Athletics, Director of Human Resources, Director of Facilities and Risk Management, and SDSM&T Foundation President.  The Special Projects Coordinator for the President will serve as the secretary to the Executive Council.

Current members of Executive Council are as follows:

RANKIN, JAMES (2018) President. B.S., South Dakota School of Mines & Technology; M.S., Ph.D., Iowa State University.

BRENTLINGER, ANN (2015) Director, Marketing and Communications.  B.A., University of South Dakota; M.A., National American University.

FORNEY, HEATHER (2014) Vice President for Finance and Administration. B.S., M.S., University of South Dakota.

HERMAN, JADE (2011) Special Projects Coordinator, Office of the President. B.S., South Dakota School of Mines & Technology; M.S., University of South Dakota.

KINCART, JOEL (2015) President, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Foundation.

KOURIS, DEMITRIS (2015) Provost/Vice President, Academic Affairs. Diploma, National Technical University of Athens; M.S., Illinois Institute of Technology, Ph.D., Northwestern University.

LUEKEN, JOEL (2014) Director, Athletics. A.A., Ellsworth Community College; B.A., Ottawa University; M.S., Northwest Missouri State University.

MAHON, PATRICIA G. (2000) Vice President, Student Development and Dean of Students. B.S., M.S., Montana State University-Billings; Ph.D., Kansas State University.

PUSZYNSKI, JAN A. (1991) Vice President, Research. M.S., Technical University, Wroclaw, Poland; Ph.D., Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, Czechoslovakia.

ROBERTS, JERILYN (2006) Director, Facilities and Risk Management. B.S., M.S., South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

SHUMAN, KELLI (2005) Vice President, Human Resources.  B.S., Black Hills State University; M.S., University of South Dakota.

University Cabinet

The University Cabinet advises the President concerning the development of policy, the governance of the university, strategic planning, and the fiscal operation of the university. The University Cabinet consists of the President, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Provost for Academic Administration, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Director of Marketing and Communications, Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students, Vice President for Research, Director of Athletics, SDSM&T Foundation President, Chair of the Faculty Senate, Director of the Alumni Association, Dean of Graduate Education, Chair of the Non-Faculty Exempt Employees Council, Chair of the Civil Service Advisory Council, President of the Student Association, Director of Information Technology Services, and the Director of Facilities and Risk Management. The program assistant in the Offices of the President and Provost shall serve as secretary for University Cabinet.

 

Current member of University Cabinet are as follows:

 

RANKIN, JAMES (2018) President. B.S., South Dakota School of Mines & Technology; M.S., Ph.D., Iowa State University.

BRENTLINGER, ANN (2015) Director of Marketing and Communications.  B.A., University of South Dakota; M.A., National American University.

FIORELLO, GINA (2019) Program Assistant, Offices of the President and Provost. A.A., Western Dakota Technical Institute.

FORNEY, HEATHER (2014) Vice President for Finance and Administration. B.S., M.S., University of South Dakota.

HERMAN, JADE (2011) Chair, Non-Faculty Exempt Employees Council. B.S., South Dakota School of Mines & Technology; M.S., University of South Dakota.

KINCART, JOEL (2015) President, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Foundation.

KLEINSASSER, TYLER President, Student Association.

KOURIS, DEMITRIS (2015) Provost/Vice President, Academic Affairs. Diploma, National Technical University of Athens; M.S., Illinois Institute of Technology; Ph.D., Northwestern University.

KREIN, CHRISTAL (1999) Chair, Civil Service Advisory Council. A.A., Northern State University.

LEE, SHANE (2019) Interim Executive Director, Alumni Association.

LUEKEN, JOEL (2014) Director of Athletics. A.A., Ellsworth Community College; B.A., Ottawa University; M.S., Northwest Missouri State University.

MAHON, PATRICIA G. (2000) Vice President, Student Development and Dean of Students. B.S., M.S., Montana State University-Billings; Ph.D., Kansas State University.

MONTOYA, THOMAS (2001) Chair, Faculty Senate. B.S., South Dakota School of Mines & Technology; M.S., University of Colorado at Colorado Springs; Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology.

MOORE, MOLLY (2010) Associate Provost for Academic Administration. B.S., South Dakota State University; M.S. University of South Dakota.

PRICE, MARIBETH (1995) Dean, Graduate Education.  B.A., Dartmouth College; M.A., Ph.D., Princeton University.

PUSZYNSKI, JAN A. (1991) Vice President, Research. M.S., Technical University, Wroclaw, Poland; Ph.D., Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, Czechoslovakia.

ROBERTS, JERILYN (2006) Director, Facilities and Risk Management. B.S., M.S., South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

SCHUMACHER, BRYAN (1991) Director, Information Technology Services. B.S., South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

SHUMAN, KELLI (2005) Vice President, Human Resources.  B.S., Black Hills State University; M.S., University of South Dakota.

Civil Service Advisory Council

The civil service employees elect the Civil Service Advisory Council members. This council shall consist of five members, with the offices of chair, vice chair, secretary, and two general board members. The current chair is Christal Krein.

Non-Faculty Exempt Employees Council

The Non-Faculty Exempt Employees Advisory Council is elected by the administrative employees who are exempt from the Civil Service Act of the state of South Dakota. The current chair is Jade Herman.

Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate consists of nine voting members, two non-voting (ex-officio) members and is chaired by the chair of the Faculty Senate. The ex-officio members are the Vice President for Research and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. All faculty members may vote in the election of representatives from their discipline and each is eligible for election as a discipline representative. The current chair is Tom Montoya.

Student Association

The Senate of the Student Association is the elected representative council for the formation of recommendations on behalf of enrolled students, including the fees charged to students and the operation of student activities funded through student fees. The current president is Tyler Kleinsasser.

Academic Organization

Academic departments at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology are organized as follows:

Chemical and Biological Engineering
Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Geology and Geological Engineering
Humanities
Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management
Math and Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
Military Science
Mining Engineering and Management
Physical Education
Physics
Social Sciences

Accreditation

The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the recognized accrediting agency for the north central states, through the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) process. For more information call (800) 621-7440 or visit: www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org.

In addition, the curriculum in chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society.

The following bachelors of engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, http:www.abet.org: chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, geological engineering, industrial engineering and engineering management, mechanical engineering, metallurgical engineering, and mining engineering.

The bachelors of science program in computer science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

 

Equal Opportunity Policy

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, military status, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, political preference, or disability in employment or the provision of service.

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, military/Veteran’s status, or disability. In adhering to this policy, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology abides by all federal and state statutes and regulations for the protection of employees against discrimination. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to the Vice President of Human Resources, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, 501 East Saint Joseph St., Rapid City, SD 57701, (605) 394-1203.