Presidential Search
The University of Sioux Falls
invites applications and nominations for the position of
PRESIDENT
THE OPPORTUNITY
The University of Sioux Falls announces the search for its next President. The vacancy follows President Mark
Benedetto’s retirement, effective summer 2017.
The Board of Trustees of the University of Sioux Falls invites nominations and applications for the position of
President. The University seeks a Christ-centered leader who has a passion for Christian, liberal arts higher
education. The ideal candidate will possess a terminal degree and/or a record of successful executive leadership.
He or she will be recognized as a visionary leader with outstanding communication skills and a commitment
to collaborative governance. The University is seeking a candidate who will inspire students, alumni, staff and
faculty, and will engage constructively with University stakeholders as well as civic leaders. He or she will also
have documented fundraising success and the fiscal proficiency to manage the institution’s financial resources.
The candidate must have a keen understanding of the higher education landscape and a demonstrated capacity
to meet its challenges. He or she will possess the qualities necessary to distinguish him or herself as a community
leader in a vibrant city, while promoting the mission of the University of Sioux Falls.
The presidential search is being conducted by the Personnel Committee of the Board of Trustees and a
Presidential Search Committee consisting of faculty, staff, students and trustees. It is the desire of the Board
of Trustees that the 23rd President of the University begin employment prior to the start of the 2017–2018
academic year. The new President will serve as the University’s Chief Executive Officer and will report directly to
the Board of Trustees.
THE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1883, the University of Sioux Falls, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a Christian, Liberal Arts
University affiliated with the American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. USF is an independent, not-for-profit institution.
Dedicated faculty intentionally integrate faith and learning, helping students to discover their career calling
and preparing them to serve God and humankind. With a 98% placement rate, our alumni live out USF’s
Culture for Service motto in their professions, families
and communities. Our talented professors teach, advise
and mentor students. With a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio,
intimate classroom settings facilitate the introduction of
concepts, the interchange of ideas and the encouragement
to apply them through experiential learning. For adult
learners driven to fulfill their dreams, USF offers online
and on-campus adult and graduate programs to help
individuals finish their degrees or earn advanced degrees.
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MISSION
The University of Sioux Falls educates students in the humanities, sciences,
and professions. The traditional motto of the University is Culture for Service,
that is, we seek to foster academic excellence and the development of
mature Christian persons for service to God and humankind in the world.
Through programs in the humanities, sciences and professions, the
University helps persons grow intellectually, discern truth and develop a
Christian worldview. As a Christian institution, USF fosters in all members of
its community the development of emotional maturity, physical well-being,
interpersonal skills and values which reflect the character and teaching of
Christ.
USF is committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to the integration of
biblical faith and learning; it affirms that Christians are called to share their faith with others
through lives of service. The University welcomes students of any faith or denomination.
STATEMENTS OF INSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE
Environment
The environment of the University of Sioux Falls encourages all students to achieve their full potential. The faculty
and staff of the University challenge and support students to grow academically and spiritually and to develop a
commitment to responsible service.
Curriculum
The curriculum of the University of Sioux Falls provides undergraduate and graduate education that is based
on the liberal arts, assists students in the development of a Christian worldview and helps them acquire
the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be responsible servant leaders in their chosen fields and
communities.
Global Orientation
USF will equip students to be salt and light in the world—to be agents of God’s global work of renewal—by
building their awareness of living in a diverse, but interdependent world and readying them for respectful,
collaborative engagement across frontiers of ethnicity, economic status and religion to contribute to the wellbeing of human society.
Faculty
The faculty of the University of Sioux Falls are committed to its mission and to their vocation of teaching, advising
and mentoring students. They enrich their teaching by scholarly participation in their fields of expertise and by
their service to the church and the community.
Students
The students of the University of Sioux Falls are diverse with respect to age, experience, and religious tradition.
They are challenged to develop a greater appreciation for other cultures, a more global perspective on current
issues and a commitment to a life of service. The University welcomes all students who are serious about
pursuing their educational goals in a Christian context.
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USF AT A GLANCE
Total Areas of Study: More than 80 undergraduate academic
programs, including majors, pre-professional programs,
minors and specializations and adult and graduate offerings in
business, degree completion, education and nursing, as well as
the Center for Professional Development.
Placement Rate: 98% of USF graduates find employment in
their chosen fields within six months of graduation.
Financial Aid: 100% of first-time, full-time freshmen receive
academic, performance or need-based financial aid.
Internships: 3,500+ positions are posted each year in Cougar Careers, USF’s job and internship database.
Student/Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Enrollment: 1,482 total students from 34 states and 11 countries
Male-to-female Undergraduate Ratio: 59% female, 41% male
Number of Clubs, Activities and Organizations: 100+
Denominations Represented: Lutheran, 16%; Baptist, 13%;
Catholic, 10%; Methodist, 4%; Non-Denominational, 4%; Christian
Reformed, 3%; Reformed, 2%; Presbyterian, 2%; Wesleyan, 2%;
Assemblies of God, 1%; Evangelical, 1%; and Other/Unknown, 41%
Prime Location: Sioux Falls, population 171,544, is in the “Heart
of America,” and USF is in the “Heart of Sioux Falls.”
Conveniently located at the junction of Interstates 90 and 29, Sioux Falls is within a day’s drive of most
major Midwestern cities:
• Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minn.—240 miles
• Denver, Colo.—650 miles
• Chicago, Ill.—560 miles
• Rapid City, S.D.—350 miles
• Kansas City, Mo.—180 miles
• Fargo, N.D.—245 miles
Sioux Falls was ranked by Forbes as the #1 city in the U.S. for Up-And-Coming Recent College Graduates in 2015.
Sioux Falls was also ranked #4 on WalletHub’s 2016 Best Cities to Start a Career, and South Dakota was ranked by
CNBC as America’s 11th Top State for Business in 2015.
Athletics: USF is a member of the NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Fine Arts: Students from every major participate in Instrumental and Vocal Music Ensembles and Theatre.
USF Traditions: Academic Convocation, Tuesday Chapel Services, Dessert at USF Employees’ Homes,
Homecoming and Family Weekend, Cougaret Talent Show, Christmas Chapel, Madrigal Dinners, Service Week,
Late-Night Finals Breakfast, Undergraduate Research Conference and the Faculty/Staff Student Lineup at
Graduation…these are a sampling of time-honored Cougar traditions.
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HISTORY
On June 5, 1872, pastors and delegates from nine Baptist
churches in the Dakota Territory met in Vermillion for the
first meeting of the Baptist Association. They adopted the
following resolution: “Be it resolved that we take immediate
steps for the establishment of an institution among us and
that we devote a suitable portion of time at each annual
meeting to the consideration of this important subject and
give our individual and associated influence to encourage
a more general and complete education of our youth
under distinctively Christian influence.”
Under the name Dakota Collegiate Institute, secondary and
collegiate programs began on September 8, 1883, in the
basement of First Baptist Church. The institution’s name changed to Sioux
Falls University in 1885, with the secondary program called the Academy
and the collegiate department branded Sioux Falls College.
Between 1929 and 1931, Sioux Falls College acquired four Baptist schools that had ceased to operate: Des Moines
University, Grand Island College, Cedar Valley Seminary and Parker College. With the 1931 merger of Grand Island
College with what was still legally Sioux Falls University, the institution’s official name became Sioux Falls College.
During the Second World War, the College lost its accreditation and offered 200 students, mainly women, twoyear degrees. Enrollment surged when the veterans returned home, only to lapse to meager numbers two years
later. Financially, the school was in dire straits. However, not unlike the young men and women who served our
nation during WWII, ordinary people accomplished extraordinary things during those lean years to ensure the
institution’s survival.
Reuben P. Jeschke (1953–1970) helped regain full, regional accreditation in 1958, and under his leadership
enrollment grew from 378 in 1958 to 1,006 in 1968—a 166% increase. The institution’s endowment, although
modest, also grew, and what Jeschke described as a “near miracle” happened—a history of balanced budgets.
The most visible change during this time was the campus. Jeschke oversaw the building of Mears Library,
Salsbury Student Union, Salsbury Science Center, Jeschke Fine Arts Center, and three residence halls. In fact,
Time magazine featured the College’s growth in 1967. The caption read: “Seven Buildings in Seven Years.” The
sub-title added: “But our stature comes from people.” By the end of Jeschke’s tenure, Sioux Falls College was wellpositioned for the steady, academic success of the 70s and 80s.
The 90s ushered in a new era of excellence. In order to better reflect the Board of Trustees’ desire to “name
the future,” one with growth in student body, expansion of academic programs, improvement in facilities and
enhancement of the institution’s reputation, Sioux Falls College became the University of Sioux Falls, effective
January 1995.
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USF TODAY UNDER PRESIDENT BENEDETTO’S LEADERSHIP
Dr. Mark Benedetto, USF’s longest-serving president, became the 22nd president
in February 1997. Under his leadership, the University’s
enrollment in both the traditional and non-traditional
programs has increased significantly, while the number
of full-time faculty has more than doubled. Several
academic programs have been added to the curriculum.
Every building on campus has experienced some form
of renovation, with the most notable expansion being
the University’s purchase of approximately 100 acres
of land near 69th Street and Cliff Avenue. New campus
construction projects have included the Cleveland
Professional Development Center, Collier Baker Hall,
Sullivan Faith and Living Center, McDonald Center,
USF Sports Complex and new additions to the Stewart
Center and Salsbury Science Center.
Under Dr. Benedetto’s leadership, the University has been successful in
navigating through several institutional accreditation reviews, major fundraising campaigns and the transition
of its athletic programs from the NAIA to the NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
During Dr. Benedetto’s tenure, the institutional operations budget has more than tripled, and the University
of Sioux Falls has been the recipient of more than $100 million in financial support. Due mainly to the record
growth in its endowment, USF provides more academic and performance scholarships to students than ever
before in the University’s history.
ACCREDITATIONS
The University of Sioux Falls is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs in the Fredrikson School of Education are
accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and are approved by the
South Dakota Division of Education. Future accreditation standards will be determined by the newly formed
accrediting body, Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The University’s social work program
is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the University’s nursing programs are
accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The baccalaureate degree in nursing at
USF is fully approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing (SDBN). The undergraduate and graduate programs
in the Vucurevich School of Business are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business
Education (IACBE).
The University also maintains membership in the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education,
the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, the Council of Independent Colleges, the South Dakota
Association of Independent Colleges and the South Dakota Foundation of Independent Colleges.
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FOUNDATIONAL EDUCATION
USF offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and the following graduate and adult-learning programs:
Accelerated Nursing, Degree Completion Program, Education Specialist, Master of Business Administration,
Master of Education, and RN-to-BSN. Through transformative curriculum and offerings like our Honors Program,
interim-service trips, study-abroad semesters, and Undergraduate Research Conference, our students discover
their career calling. That’s why 98% of our graduates find satisfying employment in their fields of interest within
6 months of graduation, and of the degree programs that produced graduates during the 2014-2015 academic
year, almost three-fourths experienced a 100% placement rate.
PHYSICAL CAMPUS
The USF Main Campus is a beautiful combination
of lush green spaces, stately historic halls and
innovative facilities with modern aesthetics and
technology, all located on approximately 40
acres in a residential area. The USF South Campus
includes 100 acres situated four miles southeast
of the main campus. It is home to the USF Sports
Complex.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Inquiries, nominations and applications are
invited. The review of applicants will commence
immediately with preference granted to those who submit applications in a timely manner, to enable the next
President to begin employment at the University prior to the start of the 2017–18 academic year.
To apply for the position of President of the University of Sioux Falls, please submit a cover letter addressing the
desired qualifications, a current résumé or vitae, a statement of faith and a list of five professional references with
the name, address, email address, telephone number and each reference’s position. Electronic submissions are
preferred. Application materials will be kept confidential and the University will not contact references without
prior permission from the applicant.
For more information, visit usiouxfalls.edu or presidentialsearch.usiouxfalls.edu.
Applications and nominations may be directed to:
Julie Gednalske, Vice President of Human Resources
University of Sioux Falls
1101 West 22nd Street,
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Telephone (direct) 605-331-6683
[email protected]
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