RAPID CITY, SD – Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that on Wednesday, June 11, the board unanimously approved Kendra Ericson, Ph.D., as the 10th President of WDTC, effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Ericson assumes the role of president following the tragic passing of Dr. Ann Bolman in late September 2024.
The Board of Trustees contracted with an executive search firm, Hazard, Young & Attea (HYA), to assist and support in this selection process. Extensive stakeholder engagement allowed the executive search firm to secure critical input in the development of the ideal leadership profile to guide WDTC into the future. The Board of Trustees is grateful to the many WDTC stakeholders who contributed to this important selection process.
Dr. Ericson has a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Trinity College of Nursing.
Dr. Ericson comes to Western Dakota Technical College as the President of St. Luke’s College in Sioux City, Iowa, for the past five years. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Nursing Education for seven years at Des Moines Area Community College, in Iowa, and LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.
Her career spans multiple sectors, beginning as a practicing nurse before transitioning into academic coaching, professional development leadership, and faculty roles. Dr. Ericson’s diverse and robust background in career and technical education equips her with profound insights into both the academic and practical facets of workforce development. This expertise uniquely positions her to influence not only WDTC, but also help advance workforce development throughout western South Dakota and beyond.
“We are very excited to welcome incoming Western Dakota Technical College president Dr. Kendra Ericson. Her experience as a college president and background in technical education should lend itself to making WDTC a leader in technical education in the region. In conversations with Dr. Ericson, she is eager to get started and looks forward to getting to know the college, the Rapid City community, and the region the college serves,” said Dr. Steve Willard, WDTC Acting President.
At the national level, Dr. Ericson is a leader in accreditation, maintaining active membership in several prominent national associations, and has contributed to the workforce and technical college sector through published works as well as being recognized with several national and regional awards recognizing her leadership contributions. Dr. Ericson is known for her dynamic, intuitive, and progressive leadership style, combined with strong networking skills which enable her to build successful collaborative teams. Her passion extends beyond the workplace to community advocacy, where she has demonstrated significant impact in workforce and economic development initiatives at local, state, and national levels.
“I am excited to join Western Dakota Technical College and collaborate with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and the community WDTC serves. As a first-generation college student, I am passionate about the opportunities learning brings to individuals and committed to advancing excellence in technical education. Together with leadership, staff, and community partners, we will enhance the learner experience and strengthen the Western Dakota region through innovative technical and workforce education”, noted Dr. Ericson.
When not leading organizational initiatives, Dr. Ericson can be found pursuing her enthusiasm for competitive running and outdoor activities. Dr. Ericson recently completed a challenging 100K race, demonstrating the same determination and endurance that characterizes her professional approach.
| About Western Dakota Technical CollegeWestern Dakota Technical College (WDTC) was established in 1968 and is the only technical college serving the western South Dakota region. WDTC offers more than 40 programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction and Manufacturing, Energy and Environmental Technologies, Health Sciences, Legal and Public Services, and Transportation Technologies. Ninety-nine percent of Western Dakota Tech’s most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military, per the WDTC 2021 Placement Report. There were 326 respondents out of 380 graduates surveyed. [*Placement information is derived from graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, placement surveys started six months after graduation, and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Overall placement rate is figured by: (responding graduates employed, continuing education, or in military service)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment). The number of program graduates are unduplicated by CIP code.] Western Dakota Technical College faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, WDTC students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities. For information about WDTC, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to [email protected]. Visit us on the web at wdt.edu. Western Dakota Technical College News Media Contact:Pamela Stillman-RokusekDirector of Strategic Communications & MarketingPhone: 605-718-2970Email: [email protected] |
