Sheila Gestring, chief financial officer and vice president of the University of South Dakota, took the helm as its 18th president in late June.
Gestring faces numerous challenges, such as finding ways to increase access for high-performing students who cannot afford tuition and easing budget constraints at the university’s law school.
Gestring started at the university in 2006 as a finance director and transitioned to assistant vice president of finance and administration.
Prior to joining the institution, Gestring served as chief financial officer of Flathead Valley Community College in Montana and held finance positions for the South Dakota state government.
Other people news:
- As of July 1, Robbyn Wacker leads St. Cloud State University (Minn.). Previously she served at the University of Northern Colorado as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
- Jennifer P. Bott, formerly dean of the Miller College of Business at Ball State University (Ind.), began her role as provost and vice president for academic affairs of Western Michigan University on July 1.
