Augustana University Leadership

Augustana University promises that students will find an environment that is intellectually challenging. This is also a place where academic rigor is accompanied by generous levels of support from faculty and staff who are committed to student success.

Augustana promises to integrate faith in the learning environment. This is a place where it is okay to talk about God and ask questions about faith, and where students will come to their own understanding of their faith and the values in which they believe.

Augustana promises to engage in community. This is a place where people seek to get to know one another and where relationships are built that are valid and personal.

When Augustana students, in turn, promise to challenge themselves intellectually, integrate faith discussions and engage in our community, the result is a covenant relationship that creates an educational experience of enduring value.

That's Augustana.

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves as the 24th president of Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota — the first woman to lead the university since it was established in 1860.

Herseth Sandlin graduated summa cum laude from Georgetown University, and cum laude from the Georgetown University Law Center. Called to public service, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004, serving four terms. She was the first woman elected to the U.S. House from South Dakota and the youngest woman serving in Congress during that time. Following her time in public office, Herseth Sandlin became a partner in a Washington, D.C., law firm and later joined Raven Industries in Sioux Falls as the company’s first general counsel and vice president of corporate development.

Herseth Sandlin is married to former Texas Congressman Max Sandlin. She and Max live in Sioux Falls with their teenage son, Zachary. They also have four older children and 10 grandchildren.