By The South Dakota Board of Regents will ask lawmakers to approve $1 million in ongoing funding to establish a Center for National Defense as part of its fiscal 2028 budget request.
The center would be a collaborative initiative involving Black Hills State University, Dakota State University and South Dakota Mines. It would support a new bachelor of science in national defense studies and expand educational opportunities in defense acquisition, logistics, cybersecurity, engineering and emerging technologies.
The initiative is intended to align the state’s public universities with South Dakota’s workforce needs and support Ellsworth Air Force Base, the South Dakota National Guard, regional defense contractors and the state’s growing defense and technology sectors.
Lukkes
“Gov. Rhoden has challenged South Dakota to become a leader in the growing defense sector, and higher education has a critical role to play in achieving that goal,” said BOR Executive Director Nathan Lukkes, a former South Dakota Army National Guard member. “This partnership combines the unique expertise of our public universities to prepare graduates for careers in national defense, cybersecurity, engineering, and emerging technologies while building a stronger workforce and economy for our state.”
The Center for National Defense would offer an interdisciplinary educational experience that could include industry certifications, internships, fellowships with defense and government partners, applied research and other hands-on opportunities.
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Students would earn a bachelor’s degree in national defense studies while developing skills in national security, engineering, cybersecurity, logistics, leadership and emerging technologies. The program would prepare graduates for careers in military, civilian and private-sector positions.
“South Dakota Mines has long prepared graduates to solve complex engineering and technology challenges,” said South Dakota Mines President Brian Tande. “Through the Center for National Defense, we have the opportunity to expand that mission by preparing engineers and technical professionals to support national defense, strengthen American competitiveness, and meet the workforce needs of South Dakota’s growing defense industry.”
The partnership is designed to draw on the academic strengths of each participating university as part of the Board of Regents’ broader effort to align higher education with workforce demand.
“Black Hills State University is proud to be part of a partnership that demonstrates how South Dakota’s public universities can work together to serve students, employers, and our state,” said Black Hills State University President and former U.S. Marine Steve Elliott. “By combining expertise across disciplines, institutions and industries, we’re creating new opportunities for students while helping build the workforce needed to support national security, public service, and economic development.”
The Center for National Defense is one component of the board’s broader strategy to expand programs in high-growth industries, strengthen partnerships with employers and prepare graduates with skills needed by South Dakota employers.
If approved by lawmakers during next year’s legislative session, the proposed funding would provide students with pathways from higher education to careers in South Dakota’s growing national defense sector.
