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South Dakota School of Mines gains NSIN director Jason Combs
Jason Combs
Story by Dustie M. Clements // Photo by Andy Greenman
Jason Combs was recently appointed as the director for the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) at the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City. “NSIN builds networks of innovators to generate new solutions to national security problems,” Combs explained. As the director of NSIN, he will be working to improve and develop problem solving between the School of Mines and the Department of Defense (DOD). The appointment of Combs adds a more deliberate and direct line of communication and sharing between the school and the DOD. Combs’ main priority in his position as NSIN director is to solve problems presented to him by the DOD, though he looks forward to working with everyone at the School of Mines from students to faculty.
Working out of the office of Research and Economic Development with Joseph Wright, the main programs will be heavily student involved, though there will be other programs that will involve working with the faculty to combine the efforts of the students’ senior capstones with current DOD problems. Instead of focusing solely on the theoretical aspect of study, students produce physical working prototypes to solve real world problems. As the former NSIN Chief of Staff at NSIN headquarters, Combs is well equipped and experienced for the director position. Along with his prior experience with NSIN, Combs is also a decorated service member whose time in the military influenced his acceptance of his new position.
This position with the School of Mines gives him the ability to use his training, talents, and opportunities from the DOD to give back and pay it forward. He will be able to share his knowledge and provide opportunities otherwise not available. He also realized that his ways of solving problems were not considered ‘normal’ for the DOD, but that he shared similar methods with the NSIN program at the school that were more deliberate and consistent.
Even though he grew up on the eastern side of Nebraska, Combs has been a South Dakota resident for more than half of his life and he considers the Hills his home. The most exciting aspect of this partnership is the positive impact it will have on the community. Students are able to focus and apply their research on real DOD issues. Local startups are able to have more direct communication with DOD sponsors. This opens the doors of opportunity to make contacts nationwide to grow business relationships and the local economy.
