Join the growing number of DSU alumni who’ve chosen to make legacy gifts. When you champion Dakota State University, you are moving our mission and vision forward.
Preparing Cybersecurity and Emerging Technology Leaders
The DSU + @AISweden program is an innovative collaboration designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by immersing students in real-world challenges. Through this program, students engage directly with companies to develop cutting-edge solutions, create novel proofs of concept, and deliver impactful results tailored to specific organizational needs. The initiative emphasizes hands-on experience, fostering professionalism, creativity, and technical expertise in participants.
Developing Problem Solvers and Innovators
DSU Faculty are rising leaders in emerging fields like AI, Cybersecurity and Quantum. Through journals, applied research and facilitating real world projects for students. These faculty serve as coaches, mentors and more to inspire students one student at a time to reach their full potential.
Dr. David Zeng is the Director of the Center for Business Analytics Research (CBAR) in the Madison Cyber Labs and an Associate Professor in the College of Business & Information Systems.
“In the rapidly evolving landscape of investment, data is king,” Zeng said.
Read More About Dr. Zeng
As CBAR works with industry, government, and academic partners to provide outreach services to clients around the state, their mission is to demystify the complexities of financial data for their investment firm clients, he said.
“We are dedicated to developing web-based data dashboards and exploring the potential of generative AI models for creating investor-oriented content.
These projects involve a multidisciplinary team of talented graduate students and seasoned researchers. This experience is invaluable for the students. Zeng shared about a former graduate student working as a research assistant at CBAR. When the student received an employment offer from a financial company in Sioux Falls, he told Zeng, “The skills I developed working for the CBAR project are exactly what the company is looking for, so the experience working under CBAR is the reason I got this job.”
Current activities involve real-time data dashboards, deployment as web apps, and generative AI for content creation. These endeavors are promising, but have challenges, such as the integrity and security of financial data, and the accuracy and unbiased nature of AI-generated content. To address these, CBAR has implemented stringent data encryption and anonymization protocols to safeguard information, and is establishing oversight mechanisms involving automated checks, domain specific fine-tuning, and human verification.
Future projects will look at predictive analytics integration, personalization through AI, expanding content generation, and collaboration with FinTech innovators.
“We are at the exciting confluence of data science, web technology, and artificial intelligence, continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. As we look to the future, we remain committed to delivering tools and insights that will shape the next generation of investment strategies,” Zeng said.
Dr. Varghese Mathew Vaidyan is also researching AI, and recently published an article titled “Hybrid Quantum Artificial Intelligence Electromagnetic Spectrum Analysis Framework for Transportation System Security” in the Journal of Hardware Systems and Security. He is Assistant Professor in The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences, Director of the PATRIOT Lab the Madison Cyber Labs.
The idea for this research resulted from the challenges and opportunities presented by cybersecurity perspectives with the integration of connected vehicle (CV) technology in traffic signal control (TCS) systems.
“Our study revealed a critical cybersecurity gap in TSC systems,” Vaidyan said.
To address this, “we developed a comprehensive electromagnetic analysis approach by constructing a monitoring framework based on hybrid quantum-classical architectures to analyze electromagnetic spectra.”
As with all research, it generates additional questions that build into more research. “This project lays the groundwork for several potential avenues of continued work. One promising direction could involve further exploration into the implementation of the proposed air-gapped electromagnetic hybrid quantum-classical monitoring framework in real-world traffic signals, conducting extensive simulations, and collaborating with industry partners to validate its effectiveness.”
This research is timely, given the proposed Center for Quantum Information Science & Technology (C-QIST) between Dakota State, SD Mines, USD, and SDSU.
This presents “exciting opportunities for both my professional development and the enriching experience of our students,” he said, by aligning the current trajectory of advancements in technology and research, and providing a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge developments in quantum computing.
Also, the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of quantum research often fosters an environment conducive to networking with experts in the field.
“This collaborative aspect opens avenues for professional growth through joint projects and potential collaborations with industry partners associated with the quantum center,” Vaidyan said.
Trojan athletics
Dakota State University celebrated the opening of the new Brian Kern Family Stadium at the Beacom PREMIER Complex with Trojan Nights. DSU faculty, staff, students, and alumni came together for the two-day event in awe of the new facilities. Trojan Nights was a testament to teamwork and vision, reflecting the university’s dedication to forward-thinking innovation.
This achievement raises the bar for Trojan athletics and will continue to unite the community for years to come. Likewise, through this significant investment, DSU and its champions have demonstrated their commitment to building a rising future for all.
Advancing Teacher Education
South Dakota’s teacher shortage is getting a boost from DSU’s Education Program. Launched in fall 2023, the program provides paraprofessionals with the opportunity to earn teaching licenses while continuing to work in their schools. By offering significant financial support and dedicated mentorship, DSU’s Education Program empowers aspiring educators to pursue their passion and fill critical classroom roles. This collaborative effort between state agencies, universities, and local school districts is making a tangible impact on South Dakota’s education landscape.
Learn More About The College Of Education & Human Performance
At Dakota State University, we are shaping the educators who will inspire and empower the next generation of leaders. From their very first day, our students are immersed in a learning environment that fosters empathy, dedication, and a deep understanding of the art and science of teaching.
Through our comprehensive Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, students gain expertise in Common Core Standards, differentiated instruction, and diverse learning styles—preparing them to meet the unique needs of every child. But what truly sets our programs apart is our commitment to innovation and hands-on experience.
Our students benefit from cutting-edge tools like the Virtual Avatar Learning Experience (VALE) and Dewey, our telepresence robot—two transformative resources that elevate teacher preparation to a new level.
VALE, powered by TLE TeachLivE, is a mixed-reality teaching simulator where students engage with lifelike, computer-generated avatars in a virtual classroom. This safe, interactive environment allows aspiring educators to refine their classroom management and instructional skills before ever stepping into a real classroom.
Dewey connects our community like never before. This telepresence robot enables students and faculty to attend classes, participate in meetings, and observe teaching sessions remotely—bridging the gap between online and on-campus learning.
Every student in the College of Education & Human Performance graduates with a built-in K–12 technology endorsement, giving them a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving educational landscape. Additional endorsements—such as English as a New Language (ENL), Adapted PE, Coaching, and Kindergarten—further equip our students to lead in diverse educational settings.
As DSU alumni, you understand the value of a hands-on, forward-thinking education. You lived it. Today’s students are building on that same foundation—with added advantages like a built-in K–12 technology endorsement and options to specialize in ENL, Adapted PE, Coaching, and Kindergarten. Your legacy continues in every classroom they enter.
Your support empowers the educators of tomorrow. With your partnership, we can continue to deliver exceptional experiences, embrace emerging technologies, and graduate future teachers who are not only well-prepared—but truly extraordinary.
Providing Scholarships
Dr. Rebecca Hoey, Provost and Vice President of Dakota State University, shares the powerful story of her parents—two non-traditional students who modeled perseverance, purpose, and the transformative power of education. Inspired by their journey, Dr. Hoey has endowed a scholarship—The Daniel and Barbara Simon Scholarship Endowment—in their name to support adult learners returning to college, ensuring that the legacy of life-changing learning continues for generations to come.
Student Stories
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