Newswise — South Dakota State University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dennis Hedge announced Dan Hansen has been chosen the dean of SDSU’s College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions. The announcement comes after a national search.
Hansen was the college’s interim dean since June 2020 after Jane Mort announced she was retiring following four years as dean of the college.
“Dan’s years of leadership within the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions have certainly prepared him for this role,” Hedge said. “His understanding of the college’s academic programs, knowledge of health care challenges facing our communities and deep commitment to student success will figure prominently in keeping the college among the best in the nation. In addition, Dan has a strong appreciation for the research being done by the faculty and he is excited to continue the positive research trajectory of the college. I look forward to working with him toward achievement of the college’s strategic goals.”
Before his interim role, Hansen served as the college’s associate dean for student services, a position he held since 2018. He was the assistant dean for student services from 2010-18. Hansen’s time at SDSU dates to 2007, when he served as an experiential program manager and assistant professor. He later climbed the ranks to associate professor and earned full professorship in 2019.
“I am a proud alumnus of this university and have a passion for the work we are doing within the college,” Hansen said. “The College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions has a rich tradition of academic excellence across all programs, a sincere commitment to service and a growing research portfolio. I look forward to working with faculty, staff, students and stakeholders in building upon the strong foundation already in place, while maintaining our commitment to training the next generation of health care and research professionals.”
Hansen earned his Bachelor of Science degree in pharmaceutical sciences from SDSU in 2003 and his Doctor of Pharmacy in 2005. After graduation, he worked as a pharmacist for Walgreens in Milwaukee and Sioux Falls before coming back to SDSU. During his tenure on campus, Hansen has served as adviser for the Students’ Association (2008-14) and served on a number of initiatives, committees and task forces, including the SDSU National Scholarships Team, University Scholarship Task Force, University Strategic Enrollment Management Council and LeadState.
As a student, the Aberdeen native was one of the few pharmacy majors to ever serve as student body president (2002-03).
In the community, he completed six years on the Brookings City Council and served on the boards for Brookings Health System and Brookings Municipal Utilities. He is the past president of the Brookings Economic Development Corporation.
SDSU’s College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions has a national reputation for outstanding performance of its graduates on national licensure examinations, impactful research, and professional practice contributions that improve human health. The college currently holds program accreditations by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences and the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
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