South Dakota universities’ Native American enrollment rises to pre-pandemic level

Makenzie HuberSouth Dakota SearchlightNative American student enrollment at South Dakota public universities has returned to its pre-pandemic level, according to a new report. The university’s student body typically has the highest percentage of Native American students of the six institutions in the system. Systemwide, Native American enrollment decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic and stayed lower for several years afterward despite increases at some universities. Native American enrollment increased this past school year by 16 students at South Dakota Mines and 15 at the University of South Dakota, but decreased by five at South Dakota State University, four at Northern State University and two at Dakota State University. This is the first year since the pandemic that Native American enrollment decreased at South Dakota State.