STC Welcomes Largest, Most Diverse Number of Students in College's History

Southeast Technical College has welcomed a record-breaking number of students, 2,659, for the fall 2024 semester, representing a 7% increase over last fall. This total includes 1,942 traditional-age students and 717, or 27% of the student body, who are 24 or older. In addition, 21% of students represent a diverse racial and ethnic background.

“This is my first fall as president at Southeast Tech,” said STC President Cory Clasemann who most recently served in leadership for the Garner Institute and Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis. “I’m committed, just as our exemplary faculty and staff, to growing and evolving with the city of Sioux Falls to fulfill our workforce mission and to meet all students’ needs.”

This fall’s growth isn’t new for STC as the college’s enrollment and partnerships have increased over several years to engage and train a more diverse workforce. In fact, during the 2023-2024 academic year, STC’s unduplicated total headcount for fall, spring and summer semesters was 3,211.

“Our partnerships with industry are vital for our growth,” said STC Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Megan Fischer. “This fall we had more academic programs than ever at enrollment capacity which forced us to waitlist more students, and we hate doing this. We really need more space and resources to enroll and graduate more students.”

To this end, a model partnership came to fruition in 2024 when Southeast Tech’s Healthcare Simulation Center opened. This state-of the art project became reality thanks to the collaboration among partners who provided financial support, including Avera Health, Sanford Health, Forward Sioux Falls and the State of South Dakota.

Media Coverage

• News.sd.gov - South Dakota Technical Colleges Hit Enrollment Highs
• Argus Leader - Sioux Falls college enrollment reports: AU, STC welcome largest-ever student classes