Black Hills State University named among best colleges for Native American students

BY LISA GIBSON

Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D., has been selected as a Top 200 College for Native Americans by Winds of Change magazine. The list is national and is not ranked, according to BHSU.

“This distinction recognizes the academic and social climate of BHSU as especially supportive to American Indian students and their unique needs,” says Corinne Hansen, Director of University and Community Relations at BHSU. “BHSU has the highest percentage of Native American students among the state public universities in South Dakota. We consider it an honor to be on this list because it recognizes our commitment to provide a strong foundation for American Indian students to grow, learn and reach the ultimate goal of graduation with a degree.”

The major criteria for being selected for the list include support of the American Indian community and a high percentage of Native students who graduate. BHSU has a Center for American Indian Studies, which promotes awareness of American Indian cultures and value systems, according to BHSU. The center also administers four academic programs: a major and minor in American Indian studies and two minors in American Indian studies with an emphasis on teaching or communications.

“The history of BHSU serving American Indians is strong,” Hansen says. For the past 33 years, the Lakota Omniciye American Indian student organization has hosted the Annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi during American Indian Awareness Week, she adds. BHSU also implements two federally funded programs for Native students: South Dakota Jump Start, which helps students succeed in college through financial and academic assistance; and the South Dakota Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP), which seeks to increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter post-secondary education.

“BHSU is located in an important spiritual place for American Indians,” Hansen says. “It is very powerful for our students to be on campus in Spearfish and Rapid City, in the heart of the Black Hills. It is also a comfort for American Indian students to live, learn and grow right here in the Black Hills of South Dakota.” PB

Lisa Gibson Editor, Prairie Business 701.787.6753 lgibson@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

LEFT: Seth Arndorfer, CEO of Dakota Carrier Network, announces DCN’s statewide Wi-Fi network Aug. 16 at the State of Technology conference in Fargo. IMAGE: DENNIS KRULL/5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

ABOVE: From left: Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Seth Arndorfer, CEO of Dakota Carrier Network, and Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, at the State of Technology conference. IMAGE: DENNIS KRULL/5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE