But a new program will fill a gap that current and potential future students have been interested in for a long time — computer information systems.
"This is the No. 1 most requested major that Dakota Wesleyan doesn't have," Fredel Thomas, vice president of admissions, marketing and technology for Dakota Wesleyan, said Thursday at a campus reception announcing the major. "There are other majors that they ask about, but this was the No. 1 that they would ask about."
The school is promoting the new major as one that bridges technology, business and communication while blending coursework in computer science, information technology and business strategy. Students will study technical disciplines such as programming, system analysis and data management to gain a broader understanding of how technology supports organizational goals.
With students already expressing interest, the school checked in with local industry, such as Vantage Point, for feedback on what kind of skills they value in recently-graduated employees. The responses indicated that there was an opportunity to offer more choices for students while helping fill a need in the local business scene.
"When we look at new ideas, we're looking for them in two simple ways. One — are there students interested in the program? This program certainly checks that box," said Dan Kittle, president of Dakota Wesleyan University. "The second is are there needs within the community? Are there employment opportunities? Are there needs for those employees? And this one certainly checks that box."
The new program will be a joint effort between Dakota Wesleyan University and the Indiana Institute of Technology in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which will provide several online class options for students in Mitchell. Those classes include intro to computer science, information security and data management. Dakota Wesleyan will provide courses such as business and technical writing, business ethics and calculus as well as general education coursework.
Students will be able to focus on concentrations in artificial and digital intelligence, user interface and user experience design and project management. Those who complete the program will have opportunities to work in careers such as artificial intelligence, business systems analysis, IT project management and technology consultation.
Kyle Herges, dean of arts and humanities and professor of digital media and design at Dakota Wesleyan, said the combination of offerings from both schools should complement each other nicely. It will offer a blend of online classes — critical for bridging the distance between Indiana and South Dakota — and in-person classes, which will allow students in Mitchell to get the full experience of being a college student.
This is a program that is aimed at the present and the future, Herges said. There are already several clear career paths that extend from the program, but there will surely be more in the future that even those already in cutting-edge technology industries haven't foreseen. There will also be opportunities for internships with local industry partners, allowing students to apply their lessons in a real world environment while learning from experts currently in the field.
"We are preparing students for jobs that may not exist for another five years from now, or they don't even have a job title for it yet," Herges said. "We're teaching students how to solve problems, and they're going to be real world problems. Bringing industry experience into the classroom? That's about as real world problem solving as you can get."
Officials compare the cooperation between the Indiana school and Dakota Wesleyan to DWU's existing partnership with Mitchell Technical College through such programs as construction management and architecture and design.
Katie Parrish, executive director of strategic initiatives and partnerships for the Indiana Institute of Technology, who appeared at the reception via video conference, said it was exciting to have two smaller educational institutions working together on the curriculum for this type of project. Together, the two schools aim to prepare the next generation of tech students for a world with growing demand for these skills
"(The program) equips students with essential skills for today's technology careers. It covers programming data structures, operating systems, computer architecture, computation theory and network design. Our graduates go on to work worldwide in roles such as software engineers, web developers, database programmers and system administrators," Parrish said. "Our program has over 100 students in it today, and that has doubled since (its launch)."
That intense interest from students seen in Indiana is already showing up in Mitchell. Dakota Wesleyan is hearing from students curious about the program, and the school is ready to begin enrolling students. Initial enrollment numbers will likely blossom as the program takes root, Thomas said.
It will be exciting to see how the program develops, she said.
"If a current student wanted to switch to it, they could already do that. But we're recruiting for the fall of 2026. I didn't look at the recent numbers, but we had over 100 interested in the program. That doesn't mean that they are necessarily enrolling, but we're getting some prospective student visits," Thomas said. "Our goal for the first year was 10 students, but I really hope to get more students over the years. That's just 10 to get us started."
More information on the major can be found by visiting the program page on the Dakota Wesleyan University website at www.dwu.edu/Computer-Information-Systems.
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