The Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) Board of Trustees has named Steve Willard, Ed.D., Acting President, effective Monday, Feb. 24.
Dr. Willard, who has served as Chair of the WDTC Board of Trustees since Fall Semester 2024 and has been a board member since 2020, brings extensive experience to the interim role. Previously, he served as Superintendent of Schools for the Belle Fourche School District and has worked as a Principal and Career and Technical Education educator.
Lynn Kendall, WDTC Board of Trustees Vice Chair and Regional Public Affairs Manager for Black Hills Energy, will assume the role of Interim WDTC Board Chair during Dr. Willard's tenure as Acting President.
Christine Goldsmith, who has served as Acting WDTC President following the passing of President Ann Bolman, Ed.D., in September 2024, will continue in her role as Vice President for Finance and Operations through March 2025, after which she will pursue a new career opportunity outside of Rapid City.
“On behalf of the WDTC Board of Trustees, we sincerely appreciate Christine’s leadership and dedication during this transition,” Dr. Willard said. “She stepped into a challenging role with professionalism and commitment, and we are grateful for her contributions. We wish her all the best in her next endeavor.”
The WDTC Board of Trustees is currently conducting a comprehensive search for the next college president, with the goal of announcing a successor before the start of the Fall 2025 Semester. This process aims to identify a leader who aligns closely with WDTC’s vision and values.
“Despite the challenges of the past several months, Western Dakota Technical College continues to thrive,” Dr. Steve Willard said. “Our dedicated faculty and staff remain fully committed to student success, and their hard work is evident every day. We are preparing for a large graduating class this spring, and I have no doubt our graduates will build successful careers and positively impact their communities.”
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ABOUT WESTERN DAKOTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) was established in 1968 and is the only technical college serving the western South Dakota region.
WDTC offers more than 40 programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction and Manufacturing, Energy and Environmental Technologies, Health Sciences, Legal and Public Services, and Transportation Technologies.
Ninety-nine percent of Western Dakota Technical College's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military per the WDTC 2023 Placement Report. There were 353 respondents out of 399 graduates surveyed. [*Placement information is derived from graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, placement surveys started six months after graduation, and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Overall placement rate is figured by: (responding graduates employed, continuing education, or in military service)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment). The number of program graduates are unduplicated by CIP code.]
Western Dakota Technical College faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, WDTC students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities.
For information about WDTC, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to Admissions@wdt.edu. Visit us on the web at wdt.edu.
