2026 South Dakota Student Water Conference
A conference exclusively for students.
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026
Location: University Student Union, South Dakota State University
What's in it for students?
- Develop skills such as science communication and oral and poster presentation.
- Compete and win in student competitions.
- Learn, share and grow your science.
- Networking opportunities with peers, academics, state and federal agency scientists and more.
- Travel grants available to offset the cost of attending the conference.
Join us for this exciting event.
Linda Weavers is a professor and the John C. Geupel Chair in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering at Ohio State University and a nationally recognized leader in water research and technology development. She serves as co-director of the Ohio Water Resources Center, where she works to advance innovative water technologies. Weavers has overseen interdisciplinary research spanning drinking water treatment, harmful algal bloom mitigation, PFAS and contaminant control, and evaluation of novel physical, chemical and hybrid water treatment technologies. She works closely with state agencies, utilities, researchers and stakeholders to translate research into actionable guidance. She has served in major national leadership roles, including president of the National Institutes for Water Resources and president of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors in which she is also a fellow.
Andrea Bjornestad is a professor in the School of Education, Counseling and Human Development at South Dakota State University and the mental health state specialist for SDSU Extension. A licensed professional counselor in South Dakota, her research and outreach efforts focus on rural mental health, with an emphasis on suicide prevention, stress management and improving access to behavioral health services in underserved communities.
Program
Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
7:30-8 a.m. | Registration | University Student Union, |
8-8:15 a.m. | Welcome and Morning Remarks – Ryan Lefers, Griffith Endowed Chair in Agriculture and Water Resources, South Dakota Water Resources Institute Director and SDSU State Water Extension Specialist Sushant Mehan, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist – Water Resource Engineer | University Student Union, |
8:30-10:15 a.m. | Oral Presentations | Rooms 262A (Lewis Room) and 262B (Clark Room) |
10:15-10:30 a.m. | Break and Coffee Social | University Student Union, |
10:30 a.m.-noon | "Self-Care Isn’t Selfish" Speaker – Andrea Bjornestad, Professor and Extension Specialist – Mental Health, School of Education, Counseling and Human Development | University Student Union, |
Noon-12:45 p.m. | Lunch and Networking | University Student Union, |
12:55-2:30 p.m. | Speed Networking | University Student Union, |
2:45-4:30 p.m. | Poster Presentations | University Student Union, |
4:30-5 p.m. | Tour | Raven Precision Agriculture Center |
5-5:30 p.m. | Evening Social and Hors d'Oeuvres | University Student Union, |
5:45-6:35 p.m. | Alan R. Bender Memorial Lecture in Water and Climate Resilience: "From Watershed Management to Innovation: Playing the Long Game" Speaker – Linda K. Weavers, President-Elect, National Institutes for Water Resources, Co-Director, Ohio Water Resources Center, John C. Geupel Endowed Chair and Professor, Ohio State University, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering | University Student Union, |
6:30-7 p.m. | Awards Announcement, Closing Remarks and Group Photos | University Student Union, |
7 p.m. | Adjourn | |
