With singing, blessings, a top 13 list and the Sound Machine marching band, Karrie G. Dixon, Ed.D., was installed on April 11 as the 13th chancellor of North Carolina Central University (NCCU).
Dixon worked in higher education for 25 years. Prior to starting at NCCU in July 2024, she was chancellor of Elizabeth City State University, where she turned around ECSU’s challenges with enrollment and finances. She has also worked at the University of North Carolina System Office and as an assistant vice provost at North Carolina State University.
Some of the speakers offered recollections of Chancellor Dixon from earlier in her career. Harry L. Williams, Ed.D., president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, recalls serving as a reference when Dixon applied for a position with the UNC System Office.
“Why are we talking,” Williams said. “You got the best person in America applying to this job. Stop the process. Contact the other people and tell them, you’re out and (Dixon) is in.”
Others offered advice. Saundra Wall Williams, Ed.D., vice chair of the board of trustees at Wake Technical Community College, had three suggestions. Make every day a day of Thanksgiving. Have faith in God. And when times are difficult, to remember that “We may cry at night, but joy is going to come in the morning.”
Peter Hans, president of the UNC System, said Dixon is a “leader who can cast a wide net for talent and support and can forge alliances to accomplish great things.”
Retired Superior Court Judge J. Carlton Cole administered the oath of office, after which Hans hung the University Medallion around Dixon’s neck and handed her the University Mace, which features an image of NCCU founder James E. Shepard.
During her address, Dixon thanked everyone, including her predecessors. She spoke of accomplishments that have already occurred under her leadership – increasing enrollment, student retention and graduation rates – as well as aims for the future.
“We will launch bold new initiatives for scholarships, expand endowments and build innovative facilities,” she said. “Our strength lies in unity. Let us lift each other up and work collaboratively to achieve our shared goal.”
View photos from the installation ceremony here.
A New Era Takes Flight: Dr. Karrie Dixon Installed as NCCU Chancellor
