Sheila K. Gestring, the eighteenth president of the University of South Dakota, has announced she will retire on June 21, 2027.
Gestring assumed her presidency in June 2018, making her the second alum and second woman to lead the University of South Dakota. During her tenure, the university reached its highest-ever enrollment and achieved record fundraising goals. Additionally, Gestring’s leadership helped establish the university’s campus in Sioux Falls. Prior to her presidency, Gestring had served in several roles at the University of South Dakota. She first joined the university’s finance staff in 2006 and was promoted to chief financial officer in 2010.
“Serving as USD’s eighteenth president has been the honor of my professional life,” said President Gestring. “Since assuming this role in June 2018, I have had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, community partners, legislators and friends of the university. We have guided USD through a period of remarkable growth and momentum, and I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished. Together, we have laid the foundation for a strong future for USD, and we are in a prime position to welcome a new president who will lead us in the years to come.”
President Gestring is a graduate of the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota, where she majored in accounting and business administration. She earned an MBA at the University of South Dakota.