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Lobby of the new American Indian Student Center
Wokini Initiative

American Indian Student Center

The American Indian Student Center (AISC) is committed to providing a welcome home-place to support those who have courageously chosen to walk the path of higher education. The AISC understands that a vital part of our function involves nation building and works to encourage students to recognize and develop their voice and help prepare Native students to respond to the call to return home.

Areas of Support

  • Retention advisement
  • Advocacy
  • Social, cultural and academic programming
  • Organizational student leadership development
  • Community and professional referrals
  • Financial aid guidance
  • Enrollment and registration assistance
  • Peer mentoring
  • Peer tutoring
Student Center

First-Year Experience

The drum room at the new AISC.

Mission and Goals

American Indian student

Scholarships

 

Student Organizations

Two registered Native student organizations are AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society) and AISA (American Indian Student Association) and serve as cultural, social and educational outlets for all students at SDState.

 

Smudging and Pipe Ceremony

At SDSU, we recognize smudging as a way of life of American Indian/Alaska Native people and welcome this time-honored practice on our campus. The AISC serves as a designated venue where smudging and pipe ceremonies may be conducted.

Ready to take the next step?

American Indian Student Center Events

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May 9

AISC Graduation Honoring Ceremony

American Indian Student Center News

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Posing with the “ears up” symbol are members of the SDSU chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society at the national conference in San Antonio Oct. 3-5. Pictured are, front row, from left, Megan Begeman, Mariah Morrow, Morgan Curd, Katherine Charging and Savanah Crowe. Middle row, Delaney Wilson, Ava Young, Harley Fischer (alumna and former AISES president) and Aubre Westover. Back row, Paige Cain (co-adviser), Cierra Sazue (graduate adviser) and Taylor Even.

American Indian Science and Engineering Society chapter earns national honor

For the fourth year in a row, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) chapter at South Dakota State University returned from its national conference with a national award. This year the chapter received the Impact to AISES Mission Award, which considers four areas — community engagement, cultural integration, professional development and advocacy and awareness.

Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education Winners Announced

The 2022 winners of the prestigious Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education were announced today by the McGraw Family Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Cheryl Logan, Barry Dunn and Roy Pea — three leaders in the field doing groundbreaking work in pre-K–12 classrooms, on university campuses and in learning science research, respectively — are being recognized for their extraordinary achievements. Each winner will receive an award of $50,000 and an iconic awards sculpture.
American Indian Student Center lobby

Students receive award at AISES National Conference

South Dakota State University’s American Indian Science and Engineering Society student organization received The Outreach and Community Service Award at the annual AISES National Conference, held Sept. 23-25 at the Phoenix Convention Center.