Ann Bolman, Ed.D, President of Western Dakota Tech
“Western Dakota Tech is very proud to be the only Native American serving public technical college in South Dakota. We serve high numbers of first-generation, non-traditional, and economically disadvantaged students and take special care to support our students as they learn and thrive. Our high in-state job placement underscores the fact that our students will be the builders, public servants, healers, and business leaders in our South Dakota communities well into the future.” — Ann Bolman, Ed.D, President of Western Dakota Tech
Name of College: Western Dakota Tech
City and State: Rapid City, South Dakota
College president: Ann Bolman, Ed.D
Website: https://www.wdt.edu/
Type of College: Public
Campus Setting: Small City
Year Established: 1968 (celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year)
Dana Dykhouse, South Dakota Board of Technical Education – Chair
Board Chairs: Western Dakota Tech is dually governed by the South Dakota Board of Technical Education – Chair Dana Dykhouse, and the Rapid City Area School Board – Chair Matt Stephens.
Governing Board Websites:
- South Dakota Board of Technical Education, http://doe.sd.gov/bote/
- Rapid City Area School Board, https://public.rcas.org/administration/BOE/default.aspx
Matt Stephens, Rapid City Area School Board – Chair
Fall credit enrollment:
653 Full-time, 353 part-time
Student characteristics:
54% male, 46% female
- Nonresident Alien – 0%
- Hispanic/Latino – 6%
- American Indian or Alaska Native – 12%
- Asian – 1%
- Black or African American – 2%
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander – 1%
- White – 76%
- Two or more races – 1%
- Race and ethnicity unknown – 2%
Interesting facts about Western Dakota Tech
- Western Dakota Tech is the only college designated as a Native American Serving Nontribal Institution in the state of South Dakota.
- Forty-five percent of degrees/diplomas awarded by Western Dakota Tech are in the Health and Public Safety programs, the highest percentage of the four state technical schools.
- Ninety-four percent of Western Dakota Tech graduates are employed in the state of South Dakota six months after graduation.
- The college hosts a Mass Casualty Simulation Rally every year. It is a cross-program learning immersion experience that incorporates local law enforcement, paramedic, and fire departments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o78gCD4F1SU
- Western Dakota Tech is celebrating 50 years in 2018.