SDSU vice provost retires

South Dakota State University Vice Provost Mary Kay Helling has announced her retirement, effective June 21st.

Helling has served in SDSU’s Office of Academic Affairs since 2003. She has served as assistant vice president for academic affairs and recently as vice provost. She was the head of the former Department of Human Development, Consumer and Family Sciences from 1992 to 2003.

Helling says it has been an honor and privilege to have worked with the faculty, staff, students and administration at South Dakota State University.

As department head and professor, she helped establish the current College of Education and Human Sciences, facilitated ongoing accreditation of programs, and conducted research in identity development of American Indian high school and college students, as well as the intergenerational transfer of the family farm or ranch.

During her time at SDSU, Helling has also served as interim dean of the Graduate School, interim dean of University College and inaugural director of the Ness Division of Management and Economics.

Helling earned her undergraduate and master’s degree at South Dakota State and her doctorate at Purdue University in 1992.