Lake Area Tech Expands in Watertown With New Dental Hygiene, Law Enforcement Programs and Student Housing
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Lake Area Technical College (LATC) is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth and innovation, expanding its footprint both academically and within the Watertown community. In a recent interview, LATC President Tiffany Sanderson detailed a flurry of new initiatives, ranging from highly anticipated community events to pioneering academic programs designed to meet the state’s pressing workforce needs.
Community Engagement: Rock the Block Returns
The college’s commitment to integrating students into the Watertown community is highlighted by the upcoming “Rock the Block” event on September 9th. Now in its second year, this free, public event serves as a massive “Welcome to Watertown” for new and returning students. Hosted in downtown Watertown near the Goss Opera House, the evening will feature food trucks, vendors, and live music, including performances by local bands and the rising country group, Lakeview.
“We want our students to have what they’re going to be using in the workforce,” Sanderson stated, emphasizing the importance of providing a full college experience that extends beyond the classroom.
Pioneering Academic Programs
LATC’s academic expansion is aggressively targeting high-demand fields. This fall marks the launch of a fully accredited, two-year Dental Hygiene program. This significant addition comes 60 years after the college established its dental assisting program. The new program will not only train future hygienists but will also offer discounted dental cleanings to the public, providing students with crucial hands-on experience.
The agriculture department is also breaking new ground with the opening of an Agriculture Commodities Trading Center. Sanderson noted this is the first such facility at a two-year college in the region, providing students with advanced training in market hedging and commodities trading.
Reinventing Law Enforcement Training
Perhaps one of the most innovative new pathways is LATC’s approach to law enforcement training. The college now offers a program that allows students to graduate as fully certified law enforcement officers in South Dakota, entirely bypassing the traditional state training academy. This unique model provides an alternative entry point into a critical field.
Furthermore, a specialized partnership with South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks offers a summer training program specifically for aspiring Conservation Officers, teaching vital skills like boating regulations and wildlife management.
Addressing Growth and Infrastructure
With students from 63 of South Dakota’s 66 counties attending LATC last year, the demand for housing has become a primary focus. Sanderson acknowledged that housing is a “real bottleneck” for the college's continued expansion. To address this, private developers are stepping in, evidenced by the recent groundbreaking of “Lake Area Lofts,” a privately funded housing development on the south edge of the campus.
A Vision for the Future
LATC continues to provide clear, stackable career pathways, allowing students to seamlessly transition from dual-credit high school courses to LPN and RN degrees, and even onto bachelor’s and master’s programs through articulation agreements with state universities.
As President Sanderson outlined, the college is not just growing for the sake of growth; it is expanding with precision to meet the exact needs of South Dakota’s employers. From new simulation centers to bringing Olympian Sarah Wells to campus for the FierceTeen Speaker Series on October 5th, Lake Area Tech is redefining the technical college experience.
