SWC was originally a vocational and technical school; an academic program was added as enrollment climbed.

It generally serves geographically isolated populations that have no other means to access education beyond the high school level.

The college has recently expanded its facilities and programs; one of the final products of this was Song to the Great Spirit, the new SWC Vocational Education Building.

The building is an example of culturally contextual architectural design: it is in the shape of four Indian figures who, with drumsticks raised, are singing a traditional Dakota song using their drum.

SWC has also almost doubled its square footage, with added classrooms and offices and an Early Childhood Education Center.