President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin is staying at Augustana University.
Sandlin, a former U.S. Congresswoman, made the announcement Wednesday after being sworn into the federal bar in South Dakota in February.
"My place is at Augustana," she said in a statement. "I have indicated to the White House that I do not wish to be further considered for or appointed to the federal bench."
Sandlin could have been nominated for either U.S. attorney or a lifetime tenure as a federal judge. In either scenario, she would have left the university.
Sandlin said her calling is in Sioux Falls at Augie, "given all that we have accomplished together, not just this past year, but over the past four years."