Tiffany Sanderson Selected as Lake Area Technical College President
Watertown, SD – Tiffany Sanderson will serve as the sixth President of Lake Area Technical College, succeeding retiring President Mike Cartney, who has led the nationally recognized college since 2014. Sanderson will begin on January 1, 2023.
“Lake Area Tech has demonstrated excellence for many years, and it’s a privilege to be a part of the next chapter,” said Sanderson. “I’m excited to lead the nation’s premier technical college.”
Sanderson currently serves as the South Dakota Secretary of Education. Prior to that role, she was a Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Kristi Noem. Sanderson’s career has focused on education and workforce development in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Notably, she led South Dakota’s technical college system as Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and helped develop important efforts like the Build Dakota Scholarship, the state’s reduced tuition dual credit program, and funding for technical colleges and regional CTE facilities.
“We’re pleased to welcome Tiffany Sanderson to Watertown,” said School District Superintendent Jeff Danielsen. “Her experience in technical education and demonstrated leadership skills make her the right choice to lead Lake Area Tech into the future.”
Sanderson grew up on a ranch and graduated from Lemmon High School in 1998. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from South Dakota State University and Master’s degree in Administration: Human Resource Management from the University of South Dakota. Sanderson will be moving from Pierre where she and her husband Nathan currently live. They have a 15-year-old son, Carter.
“Students choose Lake Area Tech because they know they’ll earn a top-notch technical education that will lead to well-compensated, in-demand careers,” said Sanderson. “I believe in the values and core of what makes Lake Area Tech a beacon for the Watertown community and the state of South Dakota. I look forward to hitting the ground running.”
Sanderson was hired at a special meeting of the Watertown School Board on November 23rd and will begin her duties January 1, 2023.
– 30 –
