DSU President Transitions to Chancellor Role

Midyear marks multiple milestones as university prepares for new leadership

Jan. 29, 2026 at 2:39pm

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Dakota State University president Dr. José-Marie Griffiths plans to transition from her role as president to chancellor in mid-2026, coinciding with the university taking possession of its new Applied Research Lab in Sioux Falls. As chancellor, Griffiths will be able to dedicate more time to external activities and building partnerships with government and industry, while a new president will take over day-to-day responsibilities. The university has continued its growth trajectory, especially in attracting graduate students to programs like cybersecurity and AI.

Why it matters

The transition of DSU's leadership comes at a pivotal time as the university expands its research capabilities and industry partnerships through the new Applied Research Lab. Griffiths' move to chancellor will allow her to focus on advancing DSU's position as a national leader in cybersecurity while a new president takes over internal operations, providing a smooth handoff of leadership.

The details

The 100,000-square-foot Applied Research Lab in Sioux Falls is designed for high-level government contract work, allowing DSU to attract federal agencies and tech companies to establish a presence in South Dakota. The university is finalizing lease rates and plans to actively market the facility to potential tenants. DSU's existing Cyber Labs in Madison also provide secure facilities for cybersecurity research and development. The university continues to report strong student placement after graduation, with over 99% of students finding jobs.

  • Midyear 2026 is when DSU is scheduled to take possession of the new Applied Research Lab in Sioux Falls.
  • Midyear 2026 is when Dr. José-Marie Griffiths plans to transition from over a decade as university president to the new role of DSU chancellor.

The players

Dr. José-Marie Griffiths

The current president of Dakota State University who has helped establish the university as a national leader in cybersecurity. She will be transitioning to the role of chancellor in mid-2026.

Dakota State University

A public university in South Dakota that is a national leader in cybersecurity education and research. The university is expanding its research capabilities with a new Applied Research Lab in Sioux Falls.

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What they’re saying

“We have a lot going on at Dakota State, a lot of things in motion. There are the day-to-day responsibilities of a university president, combined with business development for the Applied Research Lab and our labs in Madison, major initiatives in enterprise funding and potential partnerships with tech entities. This approach will provide an on-ramp for a new president to get involved day to day and then gradually get involved in external activities.”

— Dr. José-Marie Griffiths, President, Dakota State University

“We're just finalizing our lease rates, and I'll be taking the latter part of this spring and going forward to start talking with big tech companies that also are looking at hiring people out of places like Silicon Valley. There's a recognition that a lot of talent doesn't necessarily want to live on the coasts, where it's extremely expensive, and now I think we're going to see demand because we have access to secure facilities.”

— Dr. José-Marie Griffiths, President, Dakota State University

What’s next

DSU has advertised for a new president and announced a search committee. The plan is that Griffiths will transition with her successor around the end of June 2026.

The takeaway

The transition of DSU's leadership to a new president while Griffiths moves to the chancellor role will provide continuity and allow the university to capitalize on its growing reputation in cybersecurity and research. The new Applied Research Lab in Sioux Falls is poised to attract high-level government and industry partnerships, further cementing DSU's status as a national leader in these fields.