For the Public Good: The Ness School of Management and Economics
When asked how the Ness School of Management and Economics became a reality, Dr. Joe Santos is quick to credit the work of donors championing the public good.
It was the lead gift by Larry ’69 and Diane ’71 Ness that fueled the school’s creation, enticing dozens more to invest. As the Ness Director of the Ness School of Management and Economics, Santos has had a front-row seat to the public good and collective yields catalyzed so far.
Since its approval by the Board of Regents in April 2019, the Ness School has been on a meteoric rise in terms of students, faculty, programming, and impact. The school hosts seven majors and 13 minors; a finance major was added in 2026.
Programming includes courses in economics and business-related disciplines and extends to ag economics and ag business courses that strategically intersect with the agriculture industry. Home to more than 40 faculty and an estimated 1,200 students, the school’s enrollment has doubled within the last five years.
The Ness School accounts for 11% of the university’s enrollment and is on the verge of outgrowing its space in the revitalized Harding Hall. Plans are underway for a new building to accommodate the expected future growth.
While enrollment continues to skyrocket, the Ness School consistently provides unique experiences for students. With the First Dakota National Bank E-Trading Lab, future graduates can manage money using Bloomberg data technology. The terminal is equipped with its own keyboard, which students are trained on and become certified to operate – a valuable skillset for post-graduate job searches.
Through the Ness School’s Student Managed Investment Fund, future analysts prepare to manage real money with real-world stakes, delving into the world of sophisticated financial trading. Since 2023, the school has leased space in Startup Sioux Falls, where students can access workshops, career fairs, and coaching within the state’s largest city. Year-round, those interested in the business and finance industries can also pursue opportunities to join many different clubs, organizations, and competitions associated with the school.
With a vision to advance decision-making informed by business and economic analysis, the Ness School has proven to be invaluable when it comes to equipping students with critical thinking and solving challenges – and the world is taking notice.
In 2025, the school earned elite accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction held by less than 6% of the world’s universities offering business degree programs. Santos said the AACSB accreditation affirms the Ness School’s high standards of quality. The Ness School constantly evaluates its curricula to meet ongoing changes in technology and the business industry.
The Ness School is a dynamic hub of imagination, engagement, and ambition. Because of private donors who recognize the power of the public good, the school is already spurring growth and yielding positive impact for students, for faculty, and for all.