Dr. Karrie Dixon named new chancellor of NCCU

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- North Carolina Central University revealed its pick Thursday for the new chancellor of the Durham HBCU.

Chancellor Johnson Akinleye announced in January that he would retire in June.

The University of North Carolina System Board of Governors chose Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, who addressed the NCCU and Durham community at 10 a.m. in the NCCU Student Center Event Hall.

She is the university's 13th chancellor.

Following the vote and away from the board was a celebration happening at North Carolina Central University. Students, alumni, and community stakeholders welcomed Dixon to the next chapter of NCCU's storied legacy.

"This university is a jewel in the UNC system," said Dixon as she addressed the community Thursday morning declaring continued Eagle Pride. "NCCU may not be the largest HBCU in North Carolina but it will certainly be the best HBCU."

ABC11 sat down with Dixon, who said she's always had her eyes on Central. She said it was a dream come true.

"The history of the institution, the success of the alumni, and I'm just ready to take that to the next level. And I'm excited about the energy I feel here at NCCU," said Dixon.

A national search was launched in January after Akinleye announced his retirement at the end of the 2023-24 school year after eight years as NCCU's 12th Chancellor.

The search included alumni surveys, multiple committee meetings, and listening sessions.

Dixon was selected from a pool of 50 applicants which later came down to four finalists.

Dixon brings a wealth of experience to the chancellor's office having served as the chancellor at Elizabeth City State University since 2018. Her last day in that capacity is June 30. She was previously interim chancellor.

Dixon said her priorities at Central are the students and their success

"I am a chancellor who makes student success a priority. I am an approachable chancellor. And they're going to see a lot of me on campus and supporting their efforts because what I want them to do is build on their experiences and prepare themselves for great careers upon graduation," Dixon said.

She also held the role of Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs for the UNC system, overseeing the Division of Academic and Student Affairs for the System's 17 institutions.

She also held the position of Assistant Vice Provost at North Carolina State University and was a 2016-17 American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow hosted by Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem.

Dixon said she plans to tap into the support of university alumni, many of whom were in the room Thursday for the chancellor announcement including both Durham and Charlotte Alumni Association presidents Nikki Davis Green and Pamela Hester

"We have Eagle Excellence. And, you know, as eagles, we soar high above, above everyone. So of course, we expect top-notch which I truly believe that she will deliver," said Pamela Hester.

Nikki Davis Greene was one of the select alumni who met Dixon along with the other three finalists.

"I did get a chance to meet Dr. Dixon at a reception toward the end of the process and just very very impressed with her and her vision, her leadership, her background. And again, I think she is the right person at the right time," said Davis-Green.

Dixon will begin her new appointment on July 1.

"It's exciting. It's an exciting time to be an Eagle." Dixon said.

The HBCU Campaign Fund named Dixon one of "The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2020."

Dixon, a mother of two daughters, holds a bachelor's degree from NC State, a master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a doctorate from NC State.