Benjamin Jones

Dr. Benjamin Jones is an Adjunct Professor at South Dakota State University’s School of American and Global Studies. He also serves as South Dakota’s State Historian and Director of the South Dakota State Historical Society in Pierre. Previously, he held roles as South Dakota’s 15th Secretary of Education, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Dakota State University, and a 23-year Air Force officer, including faculty service at the US Air Force Academy.

His education includes a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas (2008), an M.A. from the University of Nebraska (1999), and a B.A. from South Dakota State University (1989). His academic interests focus on South Dakota history, military history, unconventional warfare, and European history.

Dr. Jones’ research explores guerrilla warfare dynamics and South Dakota’s historical narrative. Notable publications include Eisenhower’s Guerrillas (2016) and chapters analyzing Jedburgh operations and Afghanistan conflict strategies. He has secured significant grants, including a $6.8M U.S. Department of Education grant (2020) and a National Endowment for the Humanities award (2018).

His career bridges academia and public service, with leadership in K-12 education reform and historical preservation. He currently teaches online courses at SDSU while managing state historical initiatives.