Learning Opportunities for All Ages

BY TOM JACKSON, JR.

What do dentists, teachers and accountants have in common? They are all college graduates. Earning a college degree remains vital to personal and community success. Studies consistently show the important role earning a degree has on professional and community growth. Whether it’s providing business advice and consulting for economic development, preparing graduates to develop collaborative partnerships, or creating exceptional teachers who will continue to inspire our children and grandchildren, people with university degrees are the key to successful communities.

Studies show people with college degrees earn higher incomes than those without college degrees. “Incomes for the newest batch of diploma-holders are now at the highest level in more than a decade, while unemployment rates are falling quickly,” writes Wall Street Journal reporter Josh Zumbrun, referencing the New York Fed report. The article notes that the average college graduate will earn $1 million more than the average high school graduate over the course of a lifetime, with graduate degree holders earning an additional $3 million.

Continuing to provide access to higher education is important to the region. Higher education inspires traditional-age college students to consider the impact they will make on their world. Higher education inspires the continuing education adult to examine ways to challenge themselves and their organizations. I’d like to share two examples of how Black Hills State University is promoting innovation and commerce in our region: the Underground Campus and BHSU-Rapid City.

BHSU recently opened one of the only underground campuses in the world in partnership with Sanford Underground Research Facility’s lab, a science facility located at the former Homestake gold mine in Lead, S.D. This means BHSU manages a dedicated space 4,850 feet below the ground. This space provides a unique research and learning environment for students at BHSU and scientists around the world. A live video feed from underground links the research to the classrooms at Jonas Science Education Center on the BHSU campus, providing unique science education outreach opportunities. Middle school students throughout our region are using live video feeds to witness cutting-edge science research including a robotics experiment and contest.

BHSU, which has been an integral part of the Spearfish, S.D., community for the past 130 years, recently established a new location in the state’s second largest city — Rapid City. The BHSU-Rapid City location provides more options for flexible and weekend classes to meet the needs of area students, many of whom are working adults. Rapid City’s business and economic development sector includes a strong base of agriculture and tourism with robust growth in science, medicine, engineering, technology, military and energy. We continue to work directly with employers and organizations in the Rapid City region to fill gaps and provide courses needed by area professionals. BHSU is in the top 5 percent of business schools in the world as confirmed by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. BHSU-RC is an ideal place for adult learners seeking continuing education to further their career or re-train for a new field.

From inspiring student innovation to providing tools to advance local commerce, higher education remains key to the region’s success. At BHSU, we are dedicated to finding solutions, inspiring growth and contributing to our region’s vitality. BHSU, the only liberal arts university in western South Dakota, is committed to working with community and business leaders to solve workforce needs and stimulate growth. PB

Tom Jackson, Jr. President Black Hills State University Spearfish, S.D.