South Dakota State University hires Vernon Brown as lead for new SDSU Connect initiative

Vernon Brown has worn many hats in his day: vice president of marketing and community relations at SDN Communications, co-owner of the Spice & Tea Exchange, a city councilor from 2004-2012 and a former KELO-TV reporter.

But Brown’s newest hat is that of associate vice president for external affairs at South Dakota State University, according to a release from SDSU.

SDSU President Barry Dunn announced Wednesday that Brown would serve in the role as the leader of SDSU Connect, which advances partnerships between the state’s largest metropolitan area and the state’s land-grant university.

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Dunn’s SDSU Connect initiative officially launched this academic year after a year of discovery and connection with Sioux Falls leaders, educators and community members, according to the release.

A 40-member task force of campus leaders visited Sioux Falls and learned its needs, and a group of city leaders also visited the Brookings campus to “better understand its role as the state’s first land-grant university and the resources it provides to the communities of South Dakota,” according to the release.

SDSU Connect committees include “Engaging SDSU in Sioux Falls, Engaging Sioux Falls with SDSU and Enhancing the SDSU brand.”

With 79 different languages spoken throughout the Sioux Falls School District, a wide range of businesses and industries and a large population, the Sioux Falls region aligns well with SDSU’s mission of providing access to the benefits of higher education for all, according to the release.

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Brown is a 1990 graduate of SDSU and said he wouldn’t have earned his many jobs, or been able to give back to his community in so many ways, “if not for the education I received from SDSU,” he said in the release.

“This role allows me to use my experience to help other citizens, governments, businesses and nonprofits benefit from all SDSU offers, so they can recognize their full potential,” he said in the release. “I am very honored for this opportunity and look forward to building on the early success of SDSU Connect.”

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Dunn said in the release that it’s important to have someone with Brown’s experience focus specifically on the Sioux Falls community.

“Vernon has deep and unique experience in marketing and public relations that produce positive results for government, schools and nonprofits,” Dunn said in the release. “That experience, combined with the resources SDSU has to offer, will provide significant opportunities for the Sioux Falls business communities, educational systems and many other organizations.”

Brown’s new position is still pending approval by the South Dakota Board of Regents.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Vernon Brown hired to lead new SDSU Connect initiative