RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors announced the election of Dr. Karrie Dixon, who has led Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) to a new era of expansion and success as the 13th chancellor of North Carolina Central University. She serves ECSU as the 12th Chief Executive Officer and 7th Chancellor.

She was recommended by UNC System President Peter Hans following a national search that drew more than 50 candidates, resulting in three finalists endorsed by the NCCU Board of Trustees. She succeeds Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye, who is retiring June 30 after eight years leading the university.

Dixon, who was named one of “The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders” of 2020 by the HBCU Campaign Fund has served as chancellor of Elizabeth City State since 2018, bringing forth a renaissance to a campus that previously experienced enrollment declines and financial pressures. During her tenure as chancellor, Dixon grew enrollment 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. In two years’ time, employee morale moved from lowest in the UNC System to the highest.

“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.”

“Being a part of this incredible community of scholars, innovators and leaders on the sloping hills and verdant green is a dream come true,” said NCCU Chancellor-elect Dixon. “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.”

“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.”

“Chancellor-Elect Dixon is undoubtedly an admired leader, and we are thankful to have her in the HBCU space. She embodies passion, commitment, innovation, dominancy, and leadership, and that is the reason we awarded her dominant leader honors in 2020,” said HCF Founder, President and CEO Demetrius Johnson, Jr. “We thank Dr. Dixon for her expectational leadership at Elizabeth City State that included a strategic plan turnaround and expansion that brought the institution to its thriving days. Yet, I am excited about what’s ahead for North Carolina Central under her leadership. I know, we know that NCCU is in great care with “Eagle Pride, that is Amplified.” It is a great day for NCCU!”

“If I can’t travel to Durham anytime soon to visit with Dr. Dixon, I look forward to meeting Dr. Dixon in Indianapolis for her first Circle City Classic when the Eagles will meet the Norfolk State Spartans at Lucas Oil Stadium,” Johnson continued.

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 NC State University, and before that served as a program assessment consultant in NC State’s Department of Chemical Engineering. She was an adjunct assistant professor at NC State’s College of Education, and taught communication at NC State and University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

She served a one-year American Council on Education Fellowship at Wake Forest University in 2016-17.

A first-generation college graduate, Dixon holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from NC State University, a master’s degree in speech communication from UNC Greensboro, and a Doctor of Education degree in higher education administration from NC State University.

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