VERMILLION, S.D. (WNAX) – University of South Dakota President Sheila Gestring says establishing a “Dakota’s Promise” scholarship program will again be a priority.

Gestring made the point during her “State of the University” speech last week.

Gestring says current state scholarship programs fall far short.

A proposal for one million dollars in state funding to start the program failed in this year’s legislative session.

Gestring says South Dakota trails other states, again.

Grestring says the need will grow as the number of high school students falls and at the same time becomes more diverse.