South Dakota Mines, renowned for its commitment to educational excellence, has once again affirmed its position as a leader in higher education. Recognized by the education company EAB with the prestigious Return on Education award, South Dakota Mines is setting a benchmark in student success and innovation. This accolade was presented to Corinne Heiberger at the CONNECTED25 event, a significant platform gathering student success leaders from community colleges and four-year universities.
South Dakota Mines
Located in the heart of South Dakota, Mines has been a pivotal institution in shaping futures and driving economic growth. The university’s commitment to fostering an environment where students can persist, graduate, and thrive is evident through its innovative strategies and data-driven approaches. The Return on Education award highlights the measurable impact Mines has achieved in promoting academic success.
The CONNECTED25 event, where the award was presented, is a three-day gathering designed to bring together educators and leaders focused on elevating student experiences. This year marks the eleventh consecutive year of EAB recognizing outstanding achievements in the realm of student success. South Dakota Mines stood out among peers for its utilization of emerging technologies like Navigate360, Starfish, and Edify, which have revolutionized its student engagement methodologies.
Lance Roberts, Ph.D., Mines provost and vice president for academic affairs, emphasized the university’s dedication to integrating data-driven solutions and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. “Our commitment to data-informed decision-making and innovative student engagement is helping more students persist, graduate, and launch meaningful careers,” said Roberts.
Lance Roberts Ph.D.
The recognition from EAB applauds Mines’ implementation of a new tandem advising model using Navigate360. This holistic approach enhances cross-departmental coordination and connects faculty advisors, professional staff, and peer mentors, providing a comprehensive view of each student’s academic trajectory. This model has significantly streamlined workloads and fostered a more robust advising structure.
Corinne Heiberger, the interim associate vice president of student success and director of career services, shared insights on the program’s success: “The pilot program has been even more successful than we anticipated, leading to stronger collaboration and a more robust advising structure to ensure students receive support in every area.”
Heiberger’s receipt of the award not only highlights her leadership but also marks a collective achievement for the South Dakota Mines community. The university’s adaptive strategies underscore a broader trend in higher education to leverage AI-driven technology for enhancing student support and operational efficiency.
The national recognition comes as a testament to South Dakota Mines’ tireless efforts to excel in providing quality education and career readiness for its students. It underscores the institution’s role as a central force in supporting the state’s educational and professional landscape.
As South Dakota continues to grow as a hub for education and innovation, Mines’ success will undoubtedly inspire similar institutions to adopt forward-thinking methodologies in their pursuit of academic excellence. The award signals a promising future where technology, data, and human potential converge to redefine educational success in South Dakota and beyond.