From D.C. to San Diego: Shifting from Recruiting to Attracting Innovators
In the span of three weeks, I traveled from Washington, D.C. to San Diego — from supporting South Korean companies in the nation’s capital to participating in the world’s largest biotech conference. Instead of flying over South Dakota between time zones, I came home to reflect on what these experiences mean for the work we are doing at the USD Discovery District.
Descending into Discovery: Reflections from America’s Underground Lab
Descending into the Sanford Underground Research Facility revealed more than a historic mine turned laboratory. It exposed South Dakota’s quiet but powerful role in answering the universe’s deepest questions. From Ray Davis’s pioneering experiments to DUNE’s 800-mile neutrino beam, the state is building on generations of vision and partnership.
What USD’s First Hackathon Revealed About South Dakota’s Talent Pipeline
USD’s first hackathon revealed more than student ingenuity. It exposed a talent pipeline that’s deeper than expected. Students paired advanced tools with foundational methods, while bringing a broader, human-centered perspective to the problems they chose to solve. The capability is there. What happens next is the question.