BHSU Centers

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Black Hills State University (BHSU) is home to a diverse array of specialized centers that serve as a crucial extension of its academic mission. These centers go beyond traditional classroom learning to provide students with unique, hands-on experiences, while simultaneously acting as valuable resources for the wider community. They foster a spirit of inquiry, innovation, and service, connecting the university's expertise with the needs of the Black Hills region and beyond. By focusing on specific areas like conservation, economic development, and cultural awareness, these centers enhance the educational experience, offer professional development opportunities, and deepen the university's commitment to community engagement and societal well-being.

  • Herbarium: This center maintains a comprehensive collection of plant and fossil specimens, with a particular focus on the unique flora of the Black Hills region. It serves as a key resource for botanical research and education.

  • Center for American Indian Studies (CAIS): CAIS is dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of American Indian cultures, values, and issues. It provides academic guidance and social support for American Indian students on campus and acts as a liaison with tribal governments.

  • Center for the Advancement of Math and Science Education (CAMSE): CAMSE is a statewide center that works to improve the teaching and learning of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields from kindergarten through college, offering professional development and enriching experiences for teachers and students.

  • Center for Conservation of Biological Resources (CCBR): This center is a hub for research and educational initiatives focused on preserving biological resources. It provides students with hands-on research training using cutting-edge genetic and genomic technology.

  • Center for Economic Education (CEE): The CEE works to promote economic literacy by providing educational resources and programs to students and the public.

  • South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity (SD CEO): The SD CEO provides free and confidential business advising, training, and resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the state, with a specific focus on empowering women.

  • Center for Financial Independence (CFI): CFI provides resources and guidance to help students gain financial literacy, understand personal finance, and effectively manage student debt.

  • Center for Civic Engagement (CCE): The newest center at BHSU, the CCE aims to inspire and facilitate student and community involvement in service-learning and volunteer activities.

A man with a beard, wearing a U.S. Forest Service uniform, is seated at a desk and looking through a microscope. He is examining a plant sample, which is held on a sheet of paper. There are books and other research materials on the shelves behind him.

Herbarium

BHSU features the world’s largest collection of the distinctive vascular flora of the ecologically unique Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming with over 45,000 specimens.

Center for the Advancement of Math and Science Education

CAMSE's mission is to promote effective and meaningful teaching and learning of science and mathematics at all levels.

A female teacher is standing in front of a whiteboard in a classroom, gesturing with her hands while explaining a math concept to a student. The whiteboard has mathematical equations and graphs drawn on it, including notes on vertical and horizontal transformations.

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A female researcher with long dark hair, glasses, and a lab coat is looking at test tubes inside a stainless steel fume hood. She is wearing light blue gloves and is holding a rack of vials with her left hand.

Center for Conservation of Biological Resources

The BHSU genetic and genomic research facility, CCBR, provides students with the opportunity and resources to conduct research.

Center for American Indian Studies

American Indian Studies at BHSU promotes awareness of American Indian cultures, value, and social problems among both Indian people and members of the larger society.

A group of Native American dancers in colorful regalia are performing at a powwow. The person in the center is wearing a vibrant outfit with bright pink, yellow, and blue feathers, and is captured mid-step. Other dancers are visible in the background, along with spectators.
A female teacher with a beaded headband is standing in a classroom, leaning over a desk to help a young boy who is working on a laptop. There are other students working on laptops at the same table. The room has shelves with books and a whiteboard in the background.

Center for Economic Education

The Center for Economic Education promotes economic literacy for South Dakota K-12 teachers and students.

 

South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity

SD CEO provides business assistance and training to current and prospective entrepreneurs to foster economic development in South Dakota.

Go to SD CEO website

Three people, two women and a man, are gathered in an office, looking at a whiteboard. The man in the middle, wearing a blue shirt, is pointing at a bar graph drawn on the board. The two women are facing the board and the man, engaged in a discussion. The whiteboard has a bar graph with 'Freshman,' 'Sophomore,' 'Jr,' and 'Sr' written underneath the bars.

 

A person is seated at a desk, looking at two computer monitors. On the right, the main monitor displays design software with a layout for a brochure or flyer. A second, smaller laptop is open on the left. A coffee cup is visible on the desk. The room has large windows with a deck and trees visible outside.

Center for Faculty Innovation

The Center for Faculty Innovation fosters and promotes an evidence-based culture of engaged, transformative learning across the University.

Center for Civic Engagement

The Center for Civic Engagement was established at Black Hills State University in 2024 to provide undergraduate students with the foundation to succeed as lifelong citizens and future leaders in political, economic, and civic life.

A flagpole stands against a clear, blue sky. Three flags are flying on it: the American flag is on top, the South Dakota state flag is in the middle, and the BHSU flag is on the bottom.