Dr. Karrie Dixon, who has led Elizabeth City State University since 2018, has been elected as the new chancellor for North Carolina Central University.
Dixon is succeeding Johnson O. Akinleye, who is retiring June 30 after eight years leading the N.C. Central in Durham. She will begin her appointment on July 1.
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The UNC Board of Governors, which is the policy making body for the University of North Carolina System, announced the appointment Thursday.
“Being a part of this incredible community of scholars, innovators and leaders on the sloping hills and verdant green is a dream come true,” Dixon said in a release. “NCCU embodies grit, innovation, leadership, purpose and legacy, and I am committed to building on our rich traditions and ensuring that our students, faculty, staff and alumni have the tools and opportunities necessary to succeed. I can’t wait to engage with all the possibilities that Durham has to offer.”
According to the Board of Governors, Dixon grew enrollment at Elizabeth City State “by nearly 70%, raised $24 million in private gifts and built partnerships that led to nearly $300 million in state and federal funding for facilities, infrastructure and academic programs” and raised employee morale from lowest in the UNC System to the highest.
UNC System President Peter Hans recommended Dixon following a national search that drew more than 50 candidates, resulting in three finalists endorsed by the N.C. Central’s Board of Trustees, according to the board.
“Karrie Dixon has been a widely admired leader in our university System for more than two decades,” Hans said. “She’s known for building great teams and taking on big challenges with honesty and optimism. I’m excited for NC Central and grateful to Chancellor Dixon for her commitment to this state.”
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N.C. Central’s Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Holloway said that the university is “thrilled to have a dynamic new chancellor in Dr. Karrie Dixon to accelerate the growth of our great institution so our students and graduates can fully compete in a global economy.”
A first-generation college graduate, Dixon holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from N.C. State University, a master’s degree in speech communication from UNC Greensboro, and a doctorate in higher education administration from N.C. State University.
Dixon has worked within the UNC System for 23 years, moving up the ranks in academic positions at the system office, including as vice president for academic and student affairs, senior associate vice president for academic and student affairs and assistant vice president for academic and student affairs.
Previously she was assistant vice provost at N.C. State University, and before that served as a program assessment consultant in N.C. State’s Department of Chemical Engineering. She was an adjunct assistant professor at N.C. State’s College of Education, and taught communication at N.C. State and UNC Greensboro.
“This is a great day for North Carolina Central University,” said UNC Board of Governors Chair Randy Ramsey. “Karrie Dixon has made enormous contributions to eastern North Carolina during her years of service to Elizabeth City State University and will now be a tremendous leader for another of our state’s important public HBCUs. I congratulate her and look forward to seeing what this new chapter holds.”
