D r. Karrie G. Dixon never imagined her career in higher education would lead her to become the 13th chancellor of North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Let alone the first woman to lead two University of North Carolina System campuses as a permanent chancellor. In fact, when the opportunity to lead Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) came up during a critical moment for the institution, she waited until the final day to submit her application. That decision turned out to be a defining moment, not just for her, but for the campuses and communities she’s served since. “I never thought I would be a chancellor at 43 years old,” Dixon said, “I always thought you had to be much older and more seasoned. So when that door opened for me, it was something that surprised me initially.” Dixon didn’t set out to be a trailblazer, but her path, marked by a passion for making a difference, made her one anyway.
being sent there to do what was necessary, and that I would have the strength, the support, the resources to be able to do it.” According to Dixon, that sense of purpose emerged early. She began her career in television, but an opportunity to teach a college course shifted the trajectory of her professional life. The experience of working directly with students—understanding their barriers and supporting their goals—revealed a deeper calling in higher education. She transitioned into higher education administration, where she found the opportunity to implement policy. That included roles such as overseeing the Division of Academic and Student Affairs for the UNC System’s 17 constituent institutions and serving as assistant vice provost at North Carolina State University. When she stepped in as chancellor at ECSU in 2018, the university had been facing dire challenges including potential closure: the university had lost 60% of its enrollment, there were 17 audit findings, and the
institution was on accreditation warning. In 2017, Dixon was serving on a task force assembled by the UNC System president to help address the crisis. Shortly after, the university’s then- chancellor retired, and Dixon was appointed interim leader. Eight months later she was selected by the vote of the system Board of Governors to serve in the role permanently. Dixon says she drew on her 10 years of experience in the UNC System Office, stepping into the chancellor role at ECSU with a hands-on mindset. A key part of her strategy was building a strong foundation for long-term sustainability, including creating an environment where students felt proud of where they live and learn. One example was a campus beautification effort that included laying fresh mulch around the campus trees. Dixon said it led to an unexpected meeting request from the student body president at the time. Unsure of the reason, she assumed something was wrong. But when the student arrived, he shared a message
that stuck with her: “We see progress.”
Puzzled, Dixon asked what he meant. His response: “We see fresh mulch around the trees.” Dixon said that encounter became a teachable moment. If students could recognize the value in something as small as fresh mulch around the trees, she thought, “then they deserve much more than what they’re getting.” From that point on, she felt even more driven to move quickly and make meaningful changes for the students. Under her leadership, ECSU didn’t just recover, it flourished. Enrollment surged more than 70%, audit findings were cleared in less than six months, and the university emerged from accreditation warning. She championed aviation as the university’s signature program, growing its fleet from two to 15 aircraft and securing more than $350 million in new capital projects.
That same energy now powers her leadership at NCCU.
“I felt in my heart that I was
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