Academic Dean and Chair of the Science Department, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College

Dr. Kerry E. Hartman is the Academic Dean and Chair of the Science Department at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, where he has served as a faculty member in math and science since 1992. With a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from South Dakota State University, his research centers on sustainable agriculture, native plant propagation, and environmental science. He has led numerous federally funded STEM initiatives, including USDA, NSF, and EPSCoR grants, focusing on topics such as chemopreventive properties of native Juneberries and cellulose nanocomposites. Hartman has published peer-reviewed work on plant-based pharmaceuticals and biocomposites, bridging traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific inquiry. His leadership in tribal college research has advanced undergraduate STEM education and community-based environmental projects. He has also served as a mentor in NSF’s TCUP program and directed multiple aquaculture and ecological restoration efforts. Hartman’s interdisciplinary approach makes him a valuable contributor to conversations on engineering solutions rooted in sustainability and cultural relevance.