Augustana is proud to announce that Stephanie Herseth Sandlin will serve a second term as president of the university. Herseth Sandlin will officially begin serving her second 6-year term on Aug. 1.
Herseth Sandlin was inaugurated as the 24th president of Augustana on Sept. 15, 2017 — the first woman to lead the university since it was established 162 years ago. As a result of her leadership, the university developed and is implementing its transformational Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030 strategic plan — supported by the largest and most comprehensive campaign in Augustana’s history.
"The Augustana University Board of Trustees is thrilled that President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin has agreed to another term of service. Stephanie's leadership during her first term, through extraordinarily challenging times for higher education, resulted in balanced budgets, additional and distinctive undergraduate and graduate degree offerings, strategic and visible improvements to campus infrastructure, and fundraising success that has exceeded goals at this point in the campaign. The university is fortunate to have her as a champion for its mission to serve students with excellence during such an important time in their lives and in the life of the university,” said Chair of the Augustana Board of Trustees Jill Weber Aanenson ‘93.
Among the key accomplishments celebrated in phase I of Augustana’s Viking Bold journey are:
- the implementation of a new governance model for the change in academic structure, which includes the College of Arts & Sciences, Sharon Lust School of Education and Schools of Business, Health Professions and Music;
- the creation of the multimedia entrepreneurship major and construction of the Midco Media Center; new undergraduate programs in fintech, environmental studies, medical humanities & society, brewing & fermentation and neuroscience; the launch of the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and post-graduate certificate programs and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program (June 2023), as well as;
- the fourth largest student body in the university’s history, second largest class of full-time, first-year students and record number of international students – enrollment growth supported with Impact Scholarships, which provide annual scholarship support to students with substantial financial need;
- a well-developed Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Plan, which has sparked a number of new initiatives, including a Diversity Advocate Certification Program for faculty, students and staff;
- the announcement of the Viking Men’s Hockey Program, which will compete at the NCAA Division I level — supported by the largest gift in AU’s history; the addition of Division II men’s swimming & diving, women’s diving and acrobatics & tumbling;
- the completion of the Larson Track & Field Complex, renovation of the Fryxell Humanities Center, construction of Midco Arena, dedication of Ralph H. Wagoner Hall and redesign of the campus green.
To learn more about Herseth Sandlin and her service to AU, visit augie.edu/president.