Higher Education Connections Workshop
Education & Outreach Conference Room
Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF)
The Sanford Underground Research Facility and The Institute for Underground Science at SURF extend a special invitation to academic leadership and key faculty members from South Dakota universities to the 2nd annual Higher Education Connections Workshop at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), to be held Sunday, November 2 through Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s workshop will center on the newly published South Dakota Science & Technology (S&T) Plan, developed by RTI in collaboration with the EPSCoR REACH committee. The plan outlines a bold vision for advancing South Dakota’s capacity in science, engineering, technology, and innovation to grow the state’s economy, develop a skilled workforce, and expand research excellence.
To realize this vision, it is essential that our higher education institutions, SURF, and state partners come together to identify shared priorities, align resources, and strategize collaborative approaches. This workshop will provide the space and time to do exactly that.
Our goals for this year's workshop are to:
- Deepen connections among South Dakota universities, SURF, and The Institute for Underground Science.
- Explore how the S&T Plan’s priorities intersect with university research, teaching and learning, and student engagement.
- Identify collaborative pathways that strengthen South Dakota’s science and technology ecosystem.
EVENT DETAILS
Dates: Sunday, November 2 at 2:00 pm MT through Tuesday, November 4 at 12:00 pm MT, 2025
Location: Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center and Sanford Underground Research Facility, Lead, South Dakota
Agenda Highlights (times subject to change)
- Sunday, Nov 2 – 2:00 pm MT
Location: Sanford Lab Homestake Visitors Center
Welcome and SURF update, followed by a reception to reconnect, network, and set the stage for discussion.
- Monday, Nov 3 – 7:45 am MT
Location: SURF
Half-day underground visit to the Davis Campus for an in-depth look at the world-class research underway at SURF. The other half of the day will feature breakout sessions aligned with the goals of the S&T Plan, focusing on actionable strategies for collaboration.
- Tuesday, Nov 4 – 8:00 am MT
Location: SURF
Focused working sessions to refine ideas, set priorities, and outline next steps for advancing the S&T Plan’s vision in partnership with SURF and higher education.
Your participation will help shape the future of science and technology collaboration in South Dakota. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.