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The Midwestern Higher Education Compact has awarded �ձ�av��Ƶ, in partnership with Black Hills State University, a $250,000 Strategic Impact and Innovation Grant to support success for students pursuing careers in health professions.

The �ձ�av��Ƶ/BHSU initiative will embed dedicated case management positions at two key locations where students are pursuing high-demand health sciences degrees: the West River Health Science Center housed within BHSU-Rapid City, and the �ձ�av��Ƶ Metro Center in Sioux Falls. Both centers are central to meeting South Dakota’s critical workforce needs, particularly in nursing.

The West River Health Science Center is a collaborative, newly expanded space where �ձ�av��Ƶ and BHSU health sciences programs operate side by side to increase the number of graduates prepared for careers in the Rapid City region.

The new �ձ�av��Ƶ Metro Center will soon consolidate the university’s nursing, pharmacy and related health science programs into a single, modern facility to serve the health care ecosystem in the Sioux Falls region.

Currently, both the West River Health Science Center and Metro Center rely primarily on academic advisors, faculty and administrators to support students. However, the students they serve increasingly encounter complex academic, personal, financial and health-related challenges that exceed the scope and capacity of these teams.

After reviewing best practices and assessing site-specific needs, �ձ�av��Ƶ and BHSU have identified a case management approach as the most effective model for improving student outcomes. Case management can accelerate time to earning a degree and therefore help ensure a steady pipeline of health care graduates who enter and remain in South Dakota’s workforce.

“The urgency of this work is underscored by projections that indicate South Dakota will face a 14% shortage of registered nurses by 2030,” said Michaela Willis, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at �ձ�av��Ƶ. “Increased access alone is insufficient without the student support infrastructure necessary to help learners persist and graduate. By enhancing student retention, persistence and completion in nursing, pharmacy and related health science programs, this initiative will significantly strengthen South Dakota’s health care workforce pipeline.”

Ashley Armstrong, vice president for continuing education and workforce development at BHSU, said, “BHSU is proud to partner with �ձ�av��Ƶ on this important initiative that directly strengthens South Dakota's health care workforce. This collaboration reflects the commitment to expanding opportunity, meeting regional workforce needs, and ensuring that students in western South Dakota have the resources necessary to succeed in these critical fields.”

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact’s Strategic Impact and Innovation Grant support high-impact, collaborative initiatives that address state needs and align with the MHEC’s vision to strengthen postsecondary education and advance regional economic vitality. Each of MHEC’s 12 member states can apply for a grant for up to $250,000.

“We were impressed by the proposal put forth by �ձ�av��Ƶ and BHSU,” said Susan G. Heegaard, MHEC president. “This initiative has tremendous capacity to directly address workforce needs through a student success lens. We applaud their thoughtful approach to working collaboratively, supporting students and sharing resources.”

About the

MHEC brings together leaders from midwestern states to develop cost-sharing opportunities, generate collaborative solutions to challenges and opportunities in higher education, and align postsecondary education to improve individual career readiness and regional economic vitality.

Member states are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

For more information about the grant, contact Carrie Wandler, senior director of policy initiatives at MHEC.